Diabetes self-management education helps to improve health outcomes and qualities of life for diabetic patients. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of several types of diabetes self-management education for patients at the early stages of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A review of studies that have researched the use and impacts of health education on diabetic patients with T2DM was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Elsevier, JSTORE, Walters Kluwer, and the Cochrane Library between January 2017 and November 2022. We found 789 studies, and after selecting the PRISMA flowchart, we selected 19 studies, including those of 2512 adult patients diagnosed with T2DM. Biomedical results presented the pooled effect of a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of −0.64% and a fasting blood glucose (FBG) of −0.32. Emotional and social results and behavioral effects were evaluated in 10 and nine studies, respectively. The education and support of diabetic patients at the early stages of the disease impact various aspects, including the biomedical profile, lifestyle, emotional and social well-being, and anthropometric parameters. Among the factors that have been identified to enhance the effectiveness of educational interventions are the following: conducting individualized sessions (or at least in small groups of patients), extending the duration of interventions by at least 12 months, adopting a combined approach that includes both face-to-face and online components, and ensuring the involvement of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease that significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life, affecting their physical, psychological, social, and environmental well-being. Objectives: This study investigates how self-care habits influence quality of life and key health indicators, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI), among newly diagnosed diabetic individuals in Vlore, Albania. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 332 individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes were surveyed between April and July 2024. Data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activity (SDSCA) surveys. Sociodemographic and clinical information, including age, education, occupation, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, and BMI, were collected through structured interviews and medical records. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between self-care behaviors, sociodemographic factors, and quality of life. Results: The findings reveal a low quality of life, with a mean quality of life (QoL) score of 35.33 ± 8.25. Environmental domains were most affected, registering a low QoL score of 30.93 ± 9.04. Significant relationships between QoL, self-care practices, and sociodemographic factors and pathologic factors were found. The analysis indicated that distinct factors influenced various domains of quality of life. Physical health was associated with residence, comorbidities, BMI, and HbA1c, follow-up visits, dietary self-care and physical activity self-care. Psychological health correlated with residence, educational level, BMI, and HbA1c, follow-up visits, dietary, physical activity and foot self-care. Age, occupation, BMI, and physical activity self-care were linked to social relationships. Finally, environmental well-being was influenced by gender, residence, BMI, HbA1c, follow-up visits, and dietary and physical activity self-care. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on the quality of life of patients with T2D. Older age, lower education levels, comorbidities, increase in BMI and HbA1c levels, and inadequate self-care were associated with reduced quality of life. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies that promote self-care and support for at-risk groups.

Background: In the last decades, there has been a growing demand for outpatient services; understanding the factors influencing patient satisfaction is critical for improving healthcare quality. Objectives: This study evaluates patient satisfaction with nursing care and examines how satisfaction varies based on socio-demographic factors in ambulatory settings across five healthcare centers in the municipality of Vlora, Albania. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 246 patients were surveyed using the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ), adapted for outpatient contexts, after assessing its validity and reliability. The mean age of the sample was 63.9 ± 13.1 years old with a range of 21 to 94 years, and 47.2% were aged between 50 and 69 years. Results: The results indicate that the overall satisfaction level was fair, with a mean PSNCQQ score of 2.55 on a five-point scale. Socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, education, and socio-economic status, significantly impacted patient satisfaction. Younger patients (aged 20–49), females, and those with a higher education and socio-economic status reported higher satisfaction. Medical history also played a role, with patients attending general check-ups showing greater satisfaction compared to those with chronic conditions. Older patients tend to report a lower level of satisfaction with the care provided compared to younger patients. Conclusions: Communication and nurse–patient interactions emerged as key areas for improvement, particularly in outpatient settings where care is episodic. These findings suggest that personalized care, improved communication, and greater attention to socio-demographic and medical factors can enhance patient satisfaction in ambulatory care settings.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on nurses’ mental health and overall wellness, both during and after the crisis. Objectives: This study aims to explore overall wellness during and after the pandemic, and the long-term psychological effects of the relationship between psychological distress and the eight dimensions of well-being among nurses in the post-pandemic era. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the study among 288 nurses from two regional hospitals in Albania. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling, selecting nurses based on availability and relevance to the study criteria. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires using the DASS-21 scale and the Personal Assessment of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Descriptive statistics and Kendall’s Tau-b correlation were used to assess associations, followed by ordinal regression to explore the influence of demographic and professional variables. Results: Findings revealed persistent levels of psychological distress among nurses, especially related to anxiety and stress. Significant negative correlations were found between wellness dimensions particularly emotional and occupational wellness and psychological distress. Age and department assignment emerged as predictors of post-pandemic stress and depression. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for institutional strategies to support mental health and promote comprehensive well-being among nurses in the post-COVID-19 period. Investing in long-term psychological support and wellness training is essential for building a resilient nursing workforce.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses faced enormous emotional challenges and profound physical fatigue, as well as constant concerns about whether they would receive genuine support in the workplace. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses and to identify key challenges, coping strategies and needs for institutional support. Methods: It was conducted in Albania and followed a mixed-methods design in two interconnected phases, using a mixed-methods approach. Phase I included a quantitative survey of 288 nurses from regional hospitals in Fier and Vlora using a structured questionnaire covering five domains: workplace challenges, stress and work–life balance, health effects and burnout, coping mechanisms, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Phase II consisted of a reflective seminar with 47 nurses selected from the initial sample. Participants shared their post-pandemic experiences, coping strategies, and proposals for improving mental well-being. SWOT analysis was used to structure the reflections and identify internal and external factors influencing nurses’ mental health. Results: The results showed that nurses continue to face high workload, insufficient psychological support, and that 37.5% reported their work–life balance had worsened since the pandemic (21.9% sometimes; 15.6% most of the time). Participation in the reflective seminar had a positive impact on increasing professional awareness. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for structured and sustainable interventions within healthcare institutions to protect and promote nurses’ mental health in post-crisis contexts.

Background: The migration of healthcare professionals poses a serious threat to health systems worldwide. This study examines attitudes toward brain drain and the factors influencing migration tendencies among medical and nursing students in Albania, with particular attention to nursing workforce implications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 610 students in the 2024–2025 academic year using the 16-item Brain Drain Attitude Scale (BDAS). Socio-demographic and academic data were also collected. Results: The mean BDAS score was 53.43 ± 16.88. Pull factors (mean: 40.25 ± 12.76) were stronger motivators than push factors (mean: 13.19 ± 4.13). A total of 487 nursing, 73 midwifery-nursing, and 50 medical students participated (95% response rate). Nearly 40% expressed a desire to work abroad, citing financial prospects (48.2%), better living standards (46%), and personal freedom (42.1%) as reasons. Higher migration tendencies were seen in females (β = 0.50, p = 0.049), medical students (β = 1.01, p = 0.001), and third-year students (β = 0.46, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Migration tendencies are high among future Albanian healthcare professionals, with significant implications for the nursing workforce. Targeted policies are urgently needed to address brain drain through workforce investment and retention strategies.