Nursing interventions in therapeutic adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: scoping review

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children and adolescents. Adolescence is marked by multiple physical, emotional, and social changes that may compromise therapeutic adherence. This adherence is essential for promoting quality of life and preventing complications. The objective of this review was to map the existing scientific evidence on nursing interventions that facilitate therapeutic adherence in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Methods: The protocol was developed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Searches were conducted in CINAHL Complete, Medline Complete, Portugal’s Open Access Scientific Repositories and Google Scholar. Primary and secondary studies, as well as grey literature addressing adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and nursing interventions that promote therapeutic adherence, were included. Studies describing interventions not carried out by nurses were excluded. Results: Eight studies were included. Structured education, emotional support, use of technology, follow-up (in person or via telemedicine), school-based interventions, and the promotion of peer-sharing spaces were found to be relevant for improving therapeutic adherence. Conclusions: The nurse’s intervention, due to their proximity and continuity throughout the therapeutic process, emerges as a key element—not only in the transmission of technical knowledge but also in the psychosocial support that provides safety and autonomy to adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and their families. Further studies are recommended to explore the effectiveness of the identified interventions across different contexts.