Peer support in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial in primary care with parallel economic and qualitative analyses: pilot study and protocol.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes is a chronic illness, which requires the individual to assume responsibility for their own care with the aim of maintaining glucose and blood pressure levels as close to normal as possible. Traditionally self-management training for diabetes has been delivered in a didactic manner. In recent times alternatives to the traditional delivery of diabetes care have been investigated, for example, the concept of peer support which emphasises patient rather than professional domination. This paper describes the pilot study and protocol for a study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer support intervention for people with type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.


METHODS
A pilot study was conducted to access the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of a peer support intervention. We used the MRC Framework for the evaluation of complex interventions. Elements of the intervention were defined and the study protocol was finalized. In this cluster randomised controlled trial twenty general practices are assigned to control and intervention groups. Each practice compiles a diabetes register and randomly selects 21 patients. All practices implement a standardised diabetes care system. In the intervention group all practices recruit three peer supporters. The peer supporters are trained to conduct nine group meetings in their general practice over a period of two years. Each meeting has a structured component. The primary outcomes are blood pressure, total cholesterol, HBA1c and the Diabetes Well-being score. In addition to biophysical, psychosocial, economic and health service utilization data peer supporter activity and qualitative data are collected.


CONCLUSIONS
Peer support is a complex intervention and evaluating such an intervention presents challenges to researchers. This study will evaluate whether a peer support programme for patients with type 2 diabetes improves biophysical and psychosocial outcomes and whether it is an acceptable, cost effective intervention in the primary care setting.


BACKGROUND
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN42541690.
Department of Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. gpaul@tcd.ie
Gillian M
GM
Paul
Susan M
SM
Smith
David L
DL
Whitford
Eamon
E
O'Shea
Fergus
F
O'Kelly
Tom
T
O'Dowd
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012042:Registries; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin