Testing a peer support intervention for people with type 2 diabetes: a pilot for a randomised controlled trial

Simmons D, Cohn S, Bunn C, Birch K, Donald S, Paddison C, Ward C, Robins P, Prevost AT, Graffy J

This 2 month pilot study of different peer support interventions for type 2 diabetes was conducted in the United Kingdom by a Peers for Progress grantee.

The intervention was informed by formative evaluation using semi-structured interviews with health professionals, community support groups and observation of diabetes education and support groups. Invitations to participate were mailed from 4 general practices and included a survey of barriers to care. Participants were randomized by practice to receive individual, group, combined (both individual and group) or no peer support. Evaluation included ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention.

Key issues identified were the need to recruit peer supporters directly rather than through clinicians, to address participant diabetes educational needs early and the potential for group sessions to have lower participation rates than 1:1 sessions. Attendance emerged as a key issue needing close monitoring and additional intervention during the trial.

BMC Family Practice; Jan 2013 [Full Abstract]