Türkiye's First Diabetes Nurse Coaches' Opinions on Diabetes Nurse Coaching: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: In Türkiye, diabetes nurse coaching is an emerging concept. This research was performed with the aim of determining the opinions of nurses participating in diabetes nurse coaching training and the first graduates of the program in Türkiye about diabetes nurse coaching.
Methods: This study was completed with a qualitative research method from January 2023 to June 2023. Online in-depth interviews lasting about 30 minutes each were held with 13 volunteer nurses, who participated in the diabetes nurse coaching certificate program. The data were analyzed using the NVivo 12 program. Analysis of qualitative data obtained from the interviews used the 7-stage analysis method developed by Colaizzi for phenomenological research.
Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: 1) who a diabetes nurse coach is / (subthemes: raising awareness, empowering and travel companion), 2) why be diabetes nurse coach (subthemes: benefit realization, professional development and role-modeling), and 3) diabetes nurse coach metaphors (subthemes: light, functional and road friend).
Discussion and Conclusion: The diabetes nurse coaching certificate program supports professional development by providing nurses with a different perspective. Additionally, diabetes nurse coaching may be used as a new and alternative method to provide self-management for individuals with diabetes.

Keywords: Coaching; Diabetes mellitus; Nursing; Qualitative research