Partners in Care With Semi-Structured Support Group

The investigators are conducting a feasibility study using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design in which participants will receive the Partners in Care (PIC) diabetes self-management intervention and then be randomized to either semi-structured social support or a standard follow-up control group. Participants in the support groups will receive a culturally-tailored, semi-structured social support program delivered in a community setting by trained community peer educators and other health professionals (e.g., pharmacist). The investigators believe that the addition of a semi-structured social support component as a supplement to an evidence-based diabetes self-management intervention will improve diabetes self-care maintenance.

Partners in Care with Semi-Structured Support Group: participants will receive the Partners in Care intervention followed by 6 semi-structured support groups, conducted every other week for 3 months. Half of the support groups will be conducted by professionals with diabetes specific knowledge, e.g., pharmacists, physicians, nutritionists. While the other half will be conducted by the trained diabetes self-management facilitator.

Participants will receive the Partners in Care intervention followed by monthly healthy lifestyle tips related to diabetes self-management

Change from Baseline diabetes management functioning as measured by the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire at 3 months and 6 months

The PAID is a 20-item instrument that assesses the physical and social functioning of patients as well as their perceived level of mental and emotional well-being specific to living with diabetes.

Change from Baseline Total Cholesterol (including HDL and LDL) and triglycerides at 3 months and 6 months

Total Cholesterol (including HDL and LDL) and triglycerides will be measured with the Cholestech LDX analyzer

Change from Baseline reported diabetes self-care activities as measured by the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire at 3 months and 6 months

Change from Baseline amount of physical activity as measured a questionnaire at 3 months and 6 months

Inclusion Criteria: Self-reported Native Hawaiian, Filipino, or other Pacific Islander ethnic background Adults age >18 years of age English-speaking Physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes Baseline hemoglobin A1c >8% Exclusion Criteria: Survival less than 6 months Planning to move out of the community during the intervention study period Pregnancy Any co-morbid condition (physical and mental disabilities) that would prevent the individual from participating in the intervention protocol (i.e., major psychiatric illness)

Sinclair KA, Makahi EK, Shea-Solatorio C, Yoshimura SR, Townsend CK, Kaholokula JK. Outcomes from a diabetes self-management intervention for Native Hawaiians and Pacific People: Partners in Care. Ann Behav Med. 2013 Feb;45(1):24-32. doi: 10.1007/s12160-012-9422-1.

Townsend CK, Dillard A, Hosoda KK, Maskarinec GG, Maunakea AK, Yoshimura SR, Hughes C, Palakiko DM, Kehauoha BP, Kaholokula JK. Community-Based Participatory Research Integrates Behavioral and Biological Research to Achieve Health Equity for Native Hawaiians. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Dec 22;13(1):ijerph13010004. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010004.