Impact of Peer Support on Diabetes in China

The prevalence of diabetes has been growing rapidly in developing countries causing a devastating economic burden and increasing demands on healthcare systems. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find cost-effective and multi-faceted approach for diabetes care. Peer support models provide a potentially low-cost, flexible means that is complimentary to the current existing health care services. Trained peer leaders can become qualified extenders to a formal healthcare system, thereby, assisting with the education delivery and bolstering the efforts of the professional staff. To implement a culturally- specific peer support program and determine whether it is acceptable, cost-effective in China is important. This study aims to implement and evaluate biophysical and psychosocial outcomes of a peer support program and to explore it's feasibility and sustainability in China

Patients are divided into small groups and assigned with peer leaders for twelve months according to their residence. Besides the same training and follow-ups as the control arm, patients from intervention groups are suggested and encouraged to take part in the group activities with the peer leaders per month. And if possible, casual activities (such as phone call, chatting, short message; physical exercise, group member family visiting，going to supermarket together, etc.)are also recommended

Patients attend the usual self-management education and communicate with the professionals every two months, getting the information on diabetes diet, exercise, glucose monitor, etc. besides that the group members should attend three follow ups at baseline,6 and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria: type 2 diabetes with voluntary participation and have signed the Patient Informed Consent Sheet reside in stable places during the intervention period Exclusion Criteria: Patients with reduced life expectancy and unstable mood or major psychiatric conditions suffering from cancer and have been receiving radiotherapy and/ or chemotherapy in the past half year enrolling in other research program at present

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Xie B, Ye XL, Sun ZL, Jia M, Jin H, Ju CP, Yao L, De Vladmir CH, Yang Y. Peer support for patients with type 2 diabetes in rural communities of China: protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2014 Jul 23;14:747. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-747.