A brief, regular, proactive telephone "coaching" intervention for diabetes: rationale, description, and preliminary results.
Telephone-delivered interventions (TDIs) represent a potentially cost-effective method to increase medical adherence. TDIs for diabetes patients have typically been delivered by nurses or computerized telephone messaging. Psychology undergraduates, however, are less costly than nurses, have a strong background in behavioral science, and provide the personal relationship missing with computerized contact. This paper presents the rationale for and description of a brief, regular, proactive telephone intervention designed to be delivered by psychology undergraduates (i.e., paraprofessionals). "Coaches" administer a 15-min telephone intervention weekly for 3 months and biweekly for 3 additional months. Guided by a semistructured protocol that focuses on behavioral goals, coaches provides support, collaborative problem-solving, and apply basic cognitive-behavioral techniques. Results from a pilot study on type 1 diabetes patients are presented. This preliminary evidence suggests that the program is feasible, acceptable to a large majority of patients, and effective in reducing HbA1c levels.
Sacco
William P
WP
Department of Psychology, PCD 4118G, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. sacco@chuma1.cas.ufl.edu
Morrison
Anthony D
AD
Malone
John I
JI
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D019114:Remote Consultation; D013689:Telephone