Rethinking peer support for diabetes in Vancouver's South‐Asian community: a feasibility study. Issue 8 (9th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, T. S.; Sohal, P. S.; Garg, A. K.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 32:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1077
• Page End: 1084
• Publication Date: 2015-01-09
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.12655
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="dme12655-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="dme12655-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To examine the feasibility and potential health impact of a diabetes self‐management education and support intervention involving peer support on glycaemic control and diabetes distress.</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12655-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 41 South‐Asian adults with Type 2 diabetes were recruited for a 24‐week diabetes self‐management education and support pilot intervention involving peer support. The intervention consisted of six weekly education sessions co‐facilitated by a certified diabetes educator and two peer leaders, followed by 18 weekly support sessions facilitated by two peer leaders. Education sessions were guided entirely by participants' self‐management questions and also emphasized goal setting and action planning. Support sessions were based on empowerment principles and participants discussed self‐management challenges, shared emotions, asked self‐management questions, problem‐solved in a group, set goals, and developed and evaluated action plans. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention. Primary health‐related outcomes included HbA<sub>1c</sub> levels and diabetes distress (measured at baseline, 6 and 24 weeks). Programme satisfaction was also assessed.</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12655-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Pre‐established criteria for recruitment and retention were met. Paired <italic>t</italic>‐tests showed no changes in HbA<sub>1c</sub> and diabetes distress at 6 weeks. At 24 weeks, HbA<sub>1c</sub> levels deteriorated [54 mmol/mol (7.1%) vs 61 mmol/mol (7.7%)] while diabetes distress scores improved (2.0 vs 1.7).</p> </sec> <sec id="dme12655-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Although feasible, findings suggest this peer‐support model may have a positive impact on diabetes distress, but not on HbA<sub>1c</sub> levels. Culturally responsive modifications (e.g. intervention location) to the pilot model are needed and could lead to more favourable health outcomes for this community. Such a re‐designed peer‐support model will require further investigation.</p> </sec> </abstract>