Objective:

describe the characteristics of nursing practice regarding the care of persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 within the scope of primary health care, according to the Theory of Bureaucratic Caring.

Materials and method:

A qualitative study was done to explore nursing practice with respect to the care of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, through non-participant observation over a period of three weeks at two family healthcare centers in the Atacama region of Chile. Field notes were used and the information was analyzed through constant comparison, according to the selected philosophical referent.

Results:

Nursing care provided at family healthcare centers to persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 is linked to all the factors indicated in the Theory of Bureaucratic Caring; that is, educational, physical, sociocultural, legal, technological, economic and political factors.

Conclusions:

The Theory of Bureaucratic Caring can be used to describe nursing practice in the care of persons with diabetes mellitus type 2. Nursing should consider the factors inherent in the bureaucracy of any organization, especially when managing care for patients of this type.

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