title: A motivational peer support program for type 2 diabetes prevention delivered by people with type 2 diabetes: the UEA-IFG feasibility study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a peer support program for individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes as part of a novel Diabetes Prevention Programme (The UEA-IFG Study). Lay members of the public with existing type 2 diabetes volunteered as peer supporters (termed type 2 trainers) for participants at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The feasibility of type 2 trainer recruitment, training, and retention was tested.
  
  
  
  Between January and September 2009, 1500 potential type 2 trainers with existing type 2 diabetes were contacted and 168 (11%) expressed an interest. From this group, 26 type 2 trainers were appointed to begin training. All completed 7 training seminars, covering diabetes prevention, nutrition, physical activity, listening skills, motivation, and goal planning. Motivational calls were made every 12 weeks to each study participant by each type 2 trainer in addition to health care professional-delivered education sessions.
  
  
  
  Twenty-six type 2 trainers were recruited to enter the program. One type 2 trainer withdrew before beginning their role. The retention rate was high, with 22 (89%) of the type 2 trainers continuing until study end (July 2010; 20 months), with a total of 240 phone calls made.
  
  
  
  The recruiting and training of lay volunteers with existing type 2 diabetes as type 2 trainers to support study participants at risk of developing the same condition was a cost-effective strategy in comparison to employing salaried health care professionals and warrants further investigation on health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK (Miss Murray, Dr Gasper, Ms Scarpello, Professor Sampson)
authors.forename: Nikki J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK (Miss Murray, Dr Gasper, Ms Scarpello, Professor Sampson)
authors.forename: Amy V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Gasper
authors.affiliation: Health Economics Group, School of Medicine, Health Policy & Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK (Miss Irvine)
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK (Miss Murray, Dr Gasper, Ms Scarpello, Professor Sampson)
authors.forename: Tracey J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Scarpello
authors.affiliation: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK (Miss Murray, Dr Gasper, Ms Scarpello, Professor Sampson)
authors.forename: Mike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sampson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D040441:Health Educators / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055815:Young Adult