Peer support for patients with type 2 diabetes: cluster randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test the effectiveness of peer support for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Cluster randomised controlled.

Setting

20 general practices in the east of the Republic of Ireland.

Participants

395 patients (192 in intervention group, 203 in control group) and 29 peer supporters with type 2 diabetes.

Intervention

All practices introduced a standardised diabetes care system. The peer support intervention ran over a two year period and contained four elements: the recruitment and training of peer supporters, nine group meetings led by peer supporters in participant's own general practice, and a retention plan for the peer supporters.

Main outcome measures

HbA(1c); cholesterol concentration; systolic blood pressure; and wellbeing score.<

SUBMITTER: Smith SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3039437 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature