Lifestyle Medicine Case Manager Nurses for Type Two Diabetes Patients: An Overview of a Job Description Framework—A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle medicine (LM) is a contemporary scientific discipline with a multidisciplinary approach. Case Management offers a viable alternative for the care of patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to identify the role and clinical applications of the lifestyle medicine case manager nurse (LMCMN) for T2D patients internationally and to analyze the role of specialist nurses in Italy through a narrative review. A secondary objective was to define a job description (JD) for a future Delphi method. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and grey literature sources to analyze the international and Italian regulatory contexts. Subsequently, a JD for the LMCMN was developed for application in a future Delphi Study. Results: Nurses play a strategic role in managing T2D, and the LM approach has demonstrated strong evidence of effectiveness. This study developed a specific JD for the LMCMN suitable for both Italian and international contexts. Conclusions: The specific role of the LMCMN is still underdeveloped internationally. In the context of territorial assistance and chronic disease management, this professional is crucial for delivering quality care and shaping health policies that meet community needs.

Keywords

• healthy lifestyle
• nurse
• case manager
• job description
• diabetes mellitus type 2
• public health