RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of Providing Peer Support on Diabetes Management in People With Type 2 Diabetes
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP S42
OP S49
DO 10.1370/afm.1853
VO 13
IS Suppl 1
A1 Junmei Yin
A1 Rebecca Wong
A1 Shimen Au
A1 Harriet Chung
A1 Maggie Lau
A1 Laihar Lin
A1 Chiuchi Tsang
A1 Kampiu Lau
A1 Risa Ozaki
A1 Wingyee So
A1 Gary Ko
A1 Andrea Luk
A1 Roseanne Yeung
A1 Juliana C. N. Chan
YR 2015
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/13/Suppl_1/S42.abstract
AB PURPOSE We examined the effects of participating in a “train-the-trainer” program and being a peer supporter on metabolic and cognitive/psychological/behavioral parameters in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.METHODS In response to our invitation, 79 patients with fair glycemic control (HbA1c <8%) agreed to participate in a “train-the-trainer” program to become peer supporters. Of the 59 who completed the program successfully, 33 agreed to be peer supporters (“agreed trainees”) and were each assigned to support 10 patients for 1 year, with a voluntary extension period of 3 additional years, while 26 trainees declined to be supporters (“refused trainees”). A group of 60 patients with fair glycemic control who did not attend the training program and were under usual care were selected as a comparison group. The primary outcome was the change in average HbA1c levels for the 3 groups from baseline to 6 months.RESULTS At 6 months, HbA1c was unchanged in the trainees (at baseline, 7.1 ± 0.3%; at 6 months, 7.1 ± 1.1%) but increased in the comparison group (at baseline, 7.1 ± 0.5%; at 6 months, 7.3 ± 1.1%. P = .02 for between-group comparison). Self-reported self-care activities including diet adherence and foot care improved in the trainees but not the comparison group. After 4 years, HbA1c remained stable among the agreed trainees (at baseline, 7.0 ± 0.2%; at 4 years: 7.2 ± 0.6%), compared with increases in the refused trainees (at baseline, 7.1 ± 0.4%; at 4 years, 7.8 ± 0.8%) and comparison group (at baseline, 7.1 ± 0.5%; at 4 years, 8.1 ± 0.6%. P = .001 for between-group comparison).CONCLUSIONS Patients with diabetes who engaged in providing ongoing peer support to other patients with diabetes improved their self-care while maintaining glycemic control over 4 years.