Evaluation of a peer‐led self‐management education programme PEP Talk: Diabetes, Healthy Feet and You

Abstract

PEP (Peer Education Programme) Talk: Diabetes, Healthy Feet and You is a peer-led self-management programme developed to address the problems of growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications, and limited health care dollars. An evaluation of the programme, how it might be situated within a public health perspective and potential bridges for its implementation in communities throughout Canada and worldwide, are presented. The programme consisted of workshops that were conducted by volunteer peer leaders and health care professionals in 12 communities in 10 Canadian provinces; the volunteers were supported through monthly mentoring teleconferences, on-line tips and discussion board conversations. A web portal was developed to be used by the team, volunteers and community participants. Workshop curriculum was developed based on diabetes footcare and self-management best practise guidelines. Community participants answered pre-and post-workshop statements that indicated that learning occurred, as indicated by an increase in the number of statements answered correctly. Participants' feedback about the workshops was positive. In telephone follow-up interviews, 97% of respondents reported having changed their foot self-management behaviours. The portal was commonly used according to website visits, but not as much as expected for registration of community participants. It is recommended that this programme be made widely available and tailored to the specific needs of the communities and that further evaluation be conducted.

Prevent Wounds by Conducting a Comprehensive Foot Examination and Intervention

“…With frequency and deliberate surveillance there is a greater chance of discovering problems. If a pressure point is identified and the shoes worn are the culprit, the CFCN advises on appropriate off-loading and tight glucose control [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Cost-effectiveness of a peer mentoring intervention to improve disease self-management practices and self-efficacy among African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus: analysis of the Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-management (PALS) pilot study

“…African American women with SLE have been previously documented as receptive towards peer mentoring interventions in other chronic diseases, but it is a modality that has not been previously applied either in research or clinical care (7). In other low income and minority populations peer mentoring interventions have resulted in notable improvements in behaviors such as breast feeding, smoking cessation, and increased physical activity (8,9) along with improved medication adherence and blood glucose monitoring in trials of people with diabetes (10,11). These studies highlight the potential of peer mentoring as a culturally sensitive means to improving health behaviors and outcomes in low income and minority groups.…”

Reaching out to diabetic soles: Outreach foot care pilot project

“…2 In Canada alone, there are 2.7 million individuals living with diabetes, and this number is expected to increase to 4.2 million by 2020. 3 Diabetes impacts all aspects of life, requiring daily management well beyond simply taking medication; an essential component of treatment is the development of self-management skills. 4 Self-management and patient empowerment can decrease the incidence of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and long-term life-changing complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy resulting in amputation related to insufficient foot care.…”

“…4 It is neither possible nor practical for healthcare professionals to provide all the care required to manage diabetes in every individual living with the condition; however, involving healthcare professionals in the delivery of programs focused on self-management will enrich the delivery, effectiveness, and depth of diabetic education. 3…”