The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Diabetes and Diabetes Services: A pan-European Survey of Diabetes Specialist Nurses undertaken by the Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes survey consortium

AIM: To describe diabetes nurses' perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with diabetes and diabetes services across Europe.

METHODS: An online survey developed using a rapid Delphi method. The survey was translated into 17 different languages and disseminated electronically in 27 countries via national diabetes nurse networks.

RESULTS: Survey responses from 1829 diabetes nurses were included in the analysis. The responses indicated that 28% (n=504) and 48% (n=873) of diabetes nurses felt the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted 'a lot' on the physical and psychological risks of people with diabetes, respectively. The following clinical problems were identified as having increased 'a lot': anxiety 82% (n=1486); diabetes distress 65% (n=1189); depression 49% (n= 893); acute hyperglycaemia 39% (n=710); and foot complications 17% (n=323). Forty-seven percent (n=771) of respondents identified that the level of care provided to people with diabetes had declined either extremely or quite severely. Self-management support, diabetes education and psychological support were rated by diabetes nurse respondents as having declined extremely or quite severely during the COVID-19 pandemic by 31% (n=499), 63% (n=1,027) and 34% (n=551), respectively.

CONCLUSION: The findings show that diabetes nurses across Europe have seen significant increases in both physical and psychological problems in their patient populations during COVID-19. The data also show that clinical diabetes services have been significantly disrupted. As the COVID-19 situation continues we need to adapt care systems with some urgency to minimise the impact of the pandemic on the diabetes population.