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METHODS article

Front. Clin. Diabetes Healthc.
Sec. Diabetes Self-Management
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fcdhc.2024.1491865
This article is part of the Research Topic Exploring the Benefits of Digital Health Technologies in Diabetes Management View all 4 articles

How to Facilitate Peer Support -Learnings from the Development of a Peer Support Program for People with T2DM via Instant Messaging Service to improve Diabetes Self-Management

Provisionally accepted
Ursula Hemetek Ursula Hemetek *Tatjana Aubram Tatjana Aubram Johanna Grüblbauer Johanna Grüblbauer Elisabeth Höld Elisabeth Höld
  • STPUAS, St.Pölten, Austria

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study explores the use of Instant Messaging Services (IMS) for peer support among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Leveraging the popularity of IMS within the affected age group, the DiabPeerS study implemented a peer support intervention aimed at improving long-term blood glucose levels (HbA1c) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This article describes the development and acceptance of the IMS intervention used in the DiabPeerS study. The intervention included a communication strategy and content designed for lay moderators to facilitate group interaction among people with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (PWT2D). The intervention's acceptance was determined by conducting participant interviews, moderator meetings, and analysis of IMS chat protocols.Results indicate that the intervention was well-received, with participants engaging in meaningful exchange about diabetes self-management (DSM). However, those less familiar with online communication may benefit from preparational training and initial face-to-face meetings could enhance group cohesion. This research offers insights into the practical application of IMS for diabetes peer support, highlighting both its benefits and room for improvement.

    Keywords: Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support1, Online Peer Support Intervention2, T2DM Self-Management3, T2DM Peer Support4, IMS Communication Strategy

    Received: 05 Sep 2024; Accepted: 03 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Hemetek, Aubram, Grüblbauer and Höld. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Ursula Hemetek, STPUAS, St.Pölten, Austria

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.