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Family Practice Advance Access published online on March 3, 2009
Family Practice, doi:10.1093/fampra/cmp014
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.

Experiences in peer-to-peer training in diabetes mellitus: challenges and implications

Arun K Baksi

Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust, The Arun Baksi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, St Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5TG, UK

Correspondence to Arun K Baksi, Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust, The Arun Baksi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, St Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5TG, UK; Email: baksi{at}baksi.demon.co.uk

Received 10 September 2008; Revised 7 December 2008; Accepted 1 February 2009.


  Abstract

This paper briefly describes the functions of peer advisers in diabetes (PADs) and their training. The formal process used in the assessment of the peer advisers at the completion of the training courses is also stated. The findings of a recent randomized controlled trial to study the effectiveness of peer advisers in delivering a programme of education on self-management are also described. The experience gained after the completion of four courses for the training of peer advisers, in addition to a review of the literature, forms the basis for discussion of the subject of peer-to-peer support activities in diabetes. PADs are effective in the provision of one-to-one psychosocial support and advice on self-management. They are also effective as committee members and advocates for diabetes. More recently, they have been shown to be effective as teachers on self-management to their peers with diabetes. With the imminent explosion in the number of people with diabetes, there will be increased need for psychosocial support and in the requirement for the provision of education on self-management. It is unlikely that health services would be given sufficient resources to cope with this. Society should identify alternative resources. People with diabetes and their close carers are the obvious choice, and we need to commence their training now. The implications for primary care are discussed.

Keywords. Diabetes, lay tutors, peer support, self-management, training.

Baksi AK. Experiences in peer-to-peer training in diabetes mellitus: challenges and implications. Family Practice 2009; Pages 1–6 of 6.


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