This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effect of a nurse-led digital self-management education and support program on self-management behaviors, glycemic control, and diabetes-related distress in young adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
Young adults with T2DM often have difficulty maintaining good glycemic control and following self-management recommendations. Digital tools and remote education may help support their daily self-care, but there is limited evidence for structured, nurse-led digital programs in this age group.
In this study, 72 young adults aged 18 to 45 years with T2DM will be recruited from the Endocrinology and Metabolism outpatient clinic of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria and provide informed consent will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the active control group (36 participants in each group). Randomization will be stratified by baseline HbA1c level.
The intervention group will receive a 12-week nurse-led Digital Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program delivered via a digital platform. The program will be based on the ADCES7™ self-care behaviors and will include structured educational modules, self-monitoring and goal-setting tools, reminders, motivational messages, and interactive communication with a diabetes nurse and, when needed, other members of the multidisciplinary team.
The active control group will receive usual diabetes care and access to standard digital written education materials (for example, the Ministry of Health Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patient education brochure in PDF format) via the same platform, as well as basic data entry tools for tracking glucose and related information. However, they will not receive the structured nurse-led DSMES intervention.
Primary outcomes will include changes in diabetes self-management behaviors and glycemic control (for example, HbA1c) from baseline to the end of the 12-week intervention. Secondary outcomes will include changes in diabetes-related distress and user satisfaction and usability of the digital program. Data will be collected using validated questionnaires and clinical laboratory results obtained from the hospital records.
The findings of this study may provide evidence on the effectiveness of a nurse-led digital DSMES program in improving self-management, glycemic control, and distress among young adults with T2DM and may support the integration of digital education and support into routine diabetes care.