Flexible Consultation – Experience with a clinical nursing intervention to support vulnerable adults with diabetes

Background: Little is known about vulnerable individuals’ experiences after they participate in targeted interventions. Increased knowledge about these experiences may help reduce care inequalities and improve sustainable health behaviours. Aim: This study explored the experiences of vulnerable adults after they participate in the intervention, Flexible Consultation, to identify which contexts and mechanisms the participants found most important for managing their diabetes. Methods: We carried out a Realistic Evaluation using realistic semi-structured interviews with fifteen vulnerable adults with diabetes. Findings: Three overall themes were identified: A usual nurse creates space for living with diabetes, Respect and acknowledgement enhance ownership, Active health management requires a reciprocal relationship with the usual nurse in addition to a glucose sensor. Conclusion: The themes identified suggest that attachment to a usual nurse, person-centred care, and use of a glucose sensor may improve the ability of vulnerable adults to manage diabetes as part of their daily lives.