Where reported , emergency admissions and quality of life were not found to be significantly different between groups .
No information was found regarding BMI , mortality , long term diabetic complications , adverse effects , or costs .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS The presence of a diabetes specialist nurse / nurse case manager may improve patients ' diabetic control over short time periods , but from currently available trials the effects over longer periods of time are not evident .
There were no significant differences overall in hypoglycaemic episodes , hyperglycaemic incidents , or hospital admissions .
Quality of life was not shown to be affected by input from a diabetes specialist nurse/nurse case manager
BACKGROUND The patient with diabetes has many different learning needs relating to diet , monitoring , and treatments .
In many health care systems specialist nurses provide much of these needs , usually aim ing to empower patients to self-manage their diabetes .
The present review aims to assess the effects of the involvement of specialist nurse care on outcomes for  people with diabetes  , compared to usual care in hospital clinics or primary care with no input from specialist nurses .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of diabetes specialist nurses / nurse case manager in diabetes on the metabolic control of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus .
Do automated calls with nurse follow-up improve self-care and glycemic control among vulnerable patients with diabetes?
PURPOSE We sought to evaluate the effect of automated telephone assessment and self-care education calls with nurse follow-up on the management of diabetes . SUBJECTS AND METHODS We enrolled 280 English- or Spanish-speaking adults with diabetes who were using hypoglycemic medications and who were treated in a county health care system . Patients were r and omly assigned to usual care or to receive an intervention that consisted of usual care plus bi-weekly automated assessment and self-care education calls with telephone follow-up by a nurse educator . Outcomes measured at 12 months included survey-reported self-care , perceived glycemic control , and symptoms , as well as glycosylated hemoglobin ( Hb A1c ) and serum glucose levels . RESULTS We collected follow-up data for 89 % of enrollees ( 248 patients ) . Compared with usual care patients , intervention patients reported more frequent glucose monitoring , foot inspection , and weight monitoring , and fewer problems with medication adherence ( all P -0.03 ) . Follow-up Hb A , , levels were 0.3 % lower in the intervention group ( P = 0.1 ) , and about twice as many intervention patients had Hb A1c levels within the normal range ( P = 0.04 ) . Serum glucose levels were 41 mg/dL lower among intervention patients than usual care patients ( P = 0.002 ) . Intervention patients also reported better glycemic control ( P = 0.005 ) and fewer diabetic symptoms ( P < 0.0001 ) , including fewer symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia . CONCLUSIONS Automated calls with telephone nurse follow-up may be an effective strategy for improving self-care behavior and glycemic control , and for decreasing symptoms among vulnerable patients with diabetes
Where reported , emergency admissions and quality of life were not found to be significantly different between groups .
No information was found regarding BMI , mortality , long term diabetic complications , adverse effects , or costs .
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS The presence of a diabetes specialist nurse / nurse case manager may improve patients ' diabetic control over short time periods , but from currently available trials the effects over longer periods of time are not evident .
There were no significant differences overall in hypoglycaemic episodes , hyperglycaemic incidents , or hospital admissions .
Quality of life was not shown to be affected by input from a diabetes specialist nurse/nurse case manager
BACKGROUND The patient with diabetes has many different learning needs relating to diet , monitoring , and treatments .
In many health care systems specialist nurses provide much of these needs , usually aim ing to empower patients to self-manage their diabetes .
The present review aims to assess the effects of the involvement of specialist nurse care on outcomes for  people with diabetes  , compared to usual care in hospital clinics or primary care with no input from specialist nurses .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of diabetes specialist nurses / nurse case manager in diabetes on the metabolic control of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus .