Characteristics of nursing studies in diabetes research published over three decades in Sweden,
Norway, Denmark and Iceland: a narrative review of the literature
Sammanfattning
Similarities and differences across borders of Nordic countries constitute a suitable context for
investigating and discussing factors related to the development of diabetes nursing research over
the last three decades. The present study reviewed the entire body of contemporary diabetes nursing
research literature originating in four Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Our
aims were (i) to catalogue and characterise trends in research designs and research areas of these
studies published over time and (ii) to describe how research involving nurses in Nordic countries
has contributed to diabetes research overall. The larger goal of our analyses was to produce a
comprehensive picture of this research in order to guide future studies in the field. We conducted a
narrative literature review by systematically searching Medline, Medline in process, EMBASE,
CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane databases. These searches were limited to studies published
between 1979 and 2009 that had an abstract available in English or a Nordic language. Two
researchers independently selected studies for analysis, leading to the inclusion of 164 relevant
publications for analysis. In summary, Nordic nurse researchers have contributed to the
development of new knowledge in self-management of diabetes in childhood, adolescence and
adulthood, and to some extent also in the treatment and care of diabetes foot ulcers. Future research
may benefit from (i) larger nurse-led research programmes organised in networks in order to share
knowledge and expertise across national groups and borders, (ii) more multidisciplinary
collaborations in order to promote patient-centred care and (iii) further research directed towards
improving the dissemination and implementation of research findings. Using complex intervention
designs and a mix of research methods will enrich the research. Published by arrangement with John
Wiley & Sons.