Pilot Feasibility Study of a Digital Storytelling Intervention for Immigrant and Refugee Adults With Diabetes. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wieland, Mark L.; Njeru, Jane W.; Hanza, Marcelo M.; Boehm, Deborah H.; Singh, Davinder; Yawn, Barbara P.; Patten, Christi A.; Clark, Matthew M.; Weis, Jennifer A.; Osman, Ahmed; Goodson, Miriam; Porraz Capetillo, Maria D.; Hared, Abdullah; Hasley, Rachel; Guzman-Corrales, Laura; Sandler, Rachel; Hernandez, Valentina; Novotny, Paul J.; Sloan, Jeff A.; Sia, Irene G.
• Is Part Of: Diabetes educator. Volume 43:Number 4(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 359
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1177/0145721717713317
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-7217

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot feasibility project was to examine the potential effectiveness of a digital storytelling intervention designed through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach for immigrants and refugees with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The intervention was a 12-minute culturally and linguistically tailored video consisting of an introduction, 4 stories, and a concluding educational message. A structured interview was used to assess the intervention for acceptability, interest level, and usefulness among 25 participants with T2DM (15 Latino, 10 Somali) across 5 primary care clinical sites. After watching the video, participants rated their confidence and motivation about managing T2DM as a result of the intervention. Baseline A1C and follow-up values (up to 6 months) were abstracted from medical records. Results: All participants reported that the intervention got their attention, was interesting, and was useful; 96% reported that they were more confident about managing their T2DM than before they watched the video, and 92% reported that the video motivated them to change a specific behavior related to T2DM self-management. The mean baseline A1C level for the intervention participants was 9.3% (78 mmol/mol). The change from baseline to first follow-up A1C level was −0.8% (−10 mmol/mol) ( P < .05). Conclusions: Implementation of a digital storytelling intervention for T2DM among immigrant populations in primary care settings is feasible and resulted in self-rated improvement in psychosocial constructs that are associated with healthy T2DM self-management behaviors, and there was some evidence of improvement in glycemic control. A large-scale efficacy trial of the intervention is warranted.