Peer Support Program to Improve Self-Care in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Appalachia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating peer coaching models to support self-care in older adults with unmanaged Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus T2DM living in rural Appalachian Kentucky. This study aims to understand how effective peer coaching is in promoting diabetes self-management and which aspects of the peer support are most helpful. The intervention builds on the unique social connections within the community and is designed to improve self-care behaviors in this population. The study involves peer coaches who have well-managed T2DM and peer participants with unmanaged T2DM. Peer coaches receive training to develop coaching skills before the intervention begins. Peer participants are assigned to one of four groups based on whether they select or are matched with a peer coach, and the frequency of contact is either weekly or every two weeks. Peer coaches maintain records of interactions, and researchers will compare different coaching approaches and contact frequencies to assess their impact. Participants engage in the intervention over six months, with assessments at baseline, the end of intervention 6 months, and follow-ups at 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Researchers collect various measures including changes in blood sugar control HbA1c, diabetes empowerment, quality of life, social support, depression, diabetes-related problems, self-management behaviors, daily living activities, social networks, diabetes knowledge, problem-solving skills, medication adherence, and frailty. Stakeholders are involved at key points to provide feedback, and selected participants contribute to interviews after the study concludes.

OASIS: Peer Support for T2DM in Appalachia (Peer Coaches)