The Role of a School Nurse in the Care of a Child with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 - The Perspectives of Patients and their Parents: Literature Review

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this literature review was to explore the views of parents and children with type 1 diabetes mellitus regarding having a school nurse. METHODS: Six databases were selected for the analysis. The research strategy was based on the PICO model. The research participants were children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and/or their parents. RESULTS: The present review of research papers includes 12 publications. The majority of works deal with the perspectives of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents on various aspects related to the role of a school nurse in the care of a child with type 1 diabetes: the presence of a school nurse; the role of a school nurse in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia, in performing the measurements of blood glucose, and in insulin therapy; the role of a nurse in improving metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes; a nurse as an educator for children with type 1 diabetes, classmates, teachers, teacher’s assistants, principals, administrators, cafeteria workers, coaches, gym teachers, bus drivers, and school office staff; a nurse as an organiser of the care for children with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: According to parents and children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, various forms of school nurse support (i.e., checking blood glucose, giving insulin, giving glucagon, treating low and high blood glucose levels, carbohydrate counting) are consistently effective and should have an impact on the condition, improvement of metabolic control, school activity and safety at school.