The impact of a nurse's dual role on implementing an effectiveness study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Indigenous Health

Background:

• The Reorganizing the Approach to Diabetes through the Application of Registries (RADAR) model improved diabetes care for First Nations people in Alberta, Canada.
• A single nurse fulfilled dual roles: research nurse and care coordinator within the RADAR model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the dual role of the research nurse in implementing and evaluating the RADAR model.
• To highlight the impact of this integrated role on diabetes care delivery.

Main Methods:

• The study describes the practical application of a dual-role nurse within a community-based diabetes registry intervention.
• Data collection and remote care coordination were key activities performed by the nurse.

Main Results:

• The research nurse's dual role was crucial for effective data collection in remote areas and for providing essential remote care coordination.
• This integrated approach supported community healthcare providers and facilitated population-level diabetes management.

Conclusions:

• The research nurse's dual role significantly contributed to the successful implementation and evaluation of the RADAR intervention.
• This model demonstrates the effectiveness of nurses in combining research with engagement and implementation activities, especially in First Nations communities.