Makassar, Indonesia July 08 2026/PMN-RG/ – Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the world. Millions of people live with this condition every day, and many struggle not because treatment is unavailable, but because managing diabetes requires constant lifestyle adjustments. Taking medication, monitoring blood sugar levels, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and attending medical appointments can be overwhelming. This is where nurses are making a remarkable difference.
A recent scoping review revealed that nurses play a crucial role in helping people with type 2 diabetes improve their self-care management through a strategy known as health coaching. Unlike traditional healthcare approaches that focus mainly on giving instructions, health coaching empowers patients to become active partners in managing their own health.
The review identified four key roles of nurses in health coaching. First, nurses act as educators, providing practical information about diabetes, medication use, healthy eating, physical activity, and strategies to prevent complications. Second, they serve as supporters, helping patients stay motivated and confident while making long-term lifestyle changes. Third, nurses become advocates, ensuring that patients receive appropriate healthcare services and understand how to access available resources. Finally, they function as care coordinators, connecting patients with healthcare professionals and community services to ensure continuity of care.
Why does this matter? Many people with diabetes understand what they should do but struggle to maintain healthy habits over time. Health coaching addresses this challenge by focusing on motivation, goal setting, problem-solving, and emotional support. Patients are encouraged to identify realistic goals and develop personalized action plans rather than simply following generic advice.
The findings are highly relevant to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for people of all ages. Effective diabetes management directly supports this goal by reducing the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and stroke. By helping patients take control of their condition, nurse-led health coaching contributes to better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and reduced healthcare costs.
As healthcare systems continue to face increasing numbers of chronic disease cases, investing in nurse-led health coaching programs could be a smart and sustainable solution. Nurses are often the healthcare professionals who spend the most time interacting with patients, making them uniquely positioned to encourage positive behavioral changes.
The message is clear: successful diabetes care is not only about medicine. Education, encouragement, advocacy, and coordinated support are equally important. When nurses step into the role of health coaches, they empower individuals to become confident managers of their own health, bringing us one step closer to achieving SDG 3 and building healthier communities worldwide.
Reference:
DOI. https://doi.org/10.56359/gj.v6i1.643
Contact:
Dr. Yuliana Syam, S.Kp., Ns, M.Si.
+6281342012733
yulianasyam@unhas.ac.id
