Innovative Strategies for Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Sweden

The Importance of Person-Centred Care in Diabetes Management

Person-centred care is essential in managing T2DM as it prioritizes the individual needs and preferences of patients. This approach emphasizes collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, leading to shared decision-making. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials suggested that allowing patients and healthcare providers to share information can significantly improve patient outcomes [3]. Such exchanges should be tailored to improve patients’ comprehension of their conditions and encourage self-care. Personalised treatment plans encourage patients to take responsibility for medication adherence and lifestyle decisions. A review revealed that there has been a shift in diabetes treatment towards person-centred care [2].

In Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare provides national guidelines for diabetes care intended to provide high-quality equal access to care [4]. Most patients with T2DM visit their healthcare physicians and diabetes specialist nurses annually for diabetes management [4,5]. Consequently, diabetes treatment should focus on enhancing patients’ independence and self-care, which require personal knowledge, skills, and commitment to prevent complications and maintain quality of life [6].

Gothenburg Framework: Enhancing Patient Partnerships in Care

The Gothenburg Framework for Person-Centred Care consists of three routines that have been widely implemented in daily healthcare practice to facilitate the initiation, integration, and safeguarding of person-centred care [2][7]. The first routine involves developing partnerships with patients by listening to their narrative accounts of the illness, its symptoms, and how it affects their lives. The second routine involves working collaboratively to effect shared decision-making and set mutually agreed treatment goals.

Person-centred care departs from traditional medically oriented goals for diabetes care towards integrating patients’ individual goals into care planning. The third routine safeguards partnerships between patients and professionals by documenting patients’ narratives, resources, and agreed-upon goals in shared care plans [7]. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that care provision meets individuals’ needs and resources rather than relying on standard care provision.

In a qualitative study, patients with T2DM highlighted the need for flexible ways to receive information and education about their condition [8]. They emphasized that everyone is unique and learns differently, so personalised learning opportunities that integrate current knowledge, new research, and technologies are essential. Continuity of care is crucial for allowing patients to continue learning about their condition from the healthcare providers they trust.

Digital Health Solutions: Improving Outcomes for Diabetes Patients

Sweden aims to digitalise and modernise healthcare through eHealth to provide high-quality care for all citizens [9]. eHealth refers to ‘the use of information and communications technology in support of health and health-related fields,’ including diabetes care. Patients with T2DM already benefit from eHealth systems (e.g., mobile phone apps and virtual consultations via email, telephone, or webcam), which have been shown to improve treatment outcomes [10].

Digital health solutions facilitate patient education, enhance communication between patients and providers, and improve the management of diabetes. Prior research has revealed that patients with T2DM need personalised support to manage their condition effectively and lead satisfying lives despite the disease [11]. Personalised communication to strengthen patients’ engagement in self-care is a vital component of diabetes care. Digital technology contributes to the continual development of digital tools and the ready availability of health information to enhance the quality of life of persons living with T2DM.

More research is needed regarding ways to ensure that patients are sufficiently informed and involved in issues related to living with T2DM. The integration of technology in diabetes care has the potential to revolutionize patient management and empower individuals to take control of their health [12].

The Role of Diabetes Specialist Nurses in Self-Care Education

Within self-care diabetes frameworks, diabetes specialist nurses play a crucial role in assisting patients in harnessing their abilities and overcoming barriers. They help patients identify the requirements for a healthy lifestyle, including diet choices, exercise, glucose monitoring, medication, and problem-solving skills, which are beneficial for self-care. Continuous learning may be crucial for improving health and supporting individuals in developing problem-solving skills, adopting healthier behaviors, and adjusting their care plans based on new knowledge [13].

The education provided by diabetes specialist nurses should be tailored to the individual needs of patients. Learning is a holistic individual human process involving three co-occurring dimensions—content, incentive, and interaction. The content dimension comprises knowledge and skills that enable learners to construct meaning and develop the ability to deal with practical life challenges. The incentive dimension includes the feelings, volitions, and motivations necessary for learning to take place. These processes are initiated by impulses in the interaction dimension, which can manifest as perceptions, experiences, activities, or participation in social situations [14][15].

Addressing Patient Needs: Customised Learning and Support

Addressing patient needs through customised learning and support is essential for effective diabetes management. The education provided should consider cultural, social, and emotional factors that affect individuals’ understanding of diabetes and their ability to manage it effectively. A comprehensive approach that incorporates these factors can enhance the quality of diabetes care and improve patient outcomes.

Patients’ feedback on their learning experiences can inform the development of educational materials that are accessible, relevant, and disease-specific. It is essential to prioritise patients’ needs and resources in care plans rather than relying on standard care provision [7]. Future strategies should focus on enhancing the training of diabetes specialist nurses to ensure they can meet the diverse needs of their patients effectively.

Conclusion

Innovative strategies for managing type 2 diabetes in Sweden involve a multifaceted approach that emphasizes person-centred care, the Gothenburg Framework, digital health solutions, the role of diabetes specialist nurses, and customised learning and support. By integrating these elements, Sweden can enhance diabetes management, improve patient outcomes, and empower individuals living with T2DM to take control of their health.

References

1. Patient perspectives on multidimensional learning and person-centred care: interviews with persons living with type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11834784/

2. Validation of a composite outcome measure for inpatient psychiatry using scales from the interRAI-MH. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1486734

3. The role of pharmacological interventions in managing urological complications during pregnancy and childbirth: A review. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11835077/

4. Lessons Learned through Implementing SARS-CoV-2 Testing and Isolation for People Experiencing Homelessness in Congregate Shelters. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11841617/

5. The impact of precompetition state on athletic performance among track and field athletes using machine learning. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1429510

6. Adaptation of the nutrition care process for metabolic diseases in the Mexican population. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1513747

7. Double trouble: A case report of concurrent superior mesenteric artery syndrome and nutcracker syndrome in a previously healthy young adult. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.110968

8. A pilot mixed methods randomized control trial investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally tailored intervention focused on beliefs, mistrust and race-congruent peer support for Black adults with diabetes. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1474027

9. Guidance and Position of RINN22 regarding Precision Nutrition and Nutriomics. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11844698/

10. Measuring energy expenditure in Göttingen Minipigs using indirect calorimetry: validation and methodological considerations. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s42826-024-00233-3

FAQ

What is person-centred care in diabetes management?

Person-centred care in diabetes management focuses on the individual needs and preferences of patients, encouraging collaboration between patients and healthcare providers to improve diabetes outcomes.

How does the Gothenburg Framework enhance diabetes care?

The Gothenburg Framework enhances diabetes care by facilitating partnerships between patients and healthcare professionals, promoting shared decision-making, and ensuring that care plans are tailored to individual patient needs.

What role do diabetes specialist nurses play in patient education?

Diabetes specialist nurses support patients in understanding their condition, provide tailored education, and help develop self-care skills essential for managing diabetes effectively.

How do digital health solutions contribute to diabetes management?

Digital health solutions improve diabetes management by providing patients with tools for self-monitoring, enhancing communication with healthcare providers, and offering personalized support through mobile applications and online resources.

Why is customised learning important in diabetes education?

Customised learning is important in diabetes education because it addresses the unique cultural, social, and emotional factors that influence an individual’s ability to manage their condition effectively.