In-person and technology-mediated peer support in diabetes care: a systematic review of reviews and gap analysis
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report a systematic review of reviews of evidence and gaps focused on in-person and technology-mediated diabetes peer support and its impact on clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of reviews in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviews published in English from December 1978 through December 2018 examining clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes were included. The search yielded 167 reviews that were examined for inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Nine systematic reviews and meta-analyses meeting criteria were included. Findings suggest peer support interventions can have a positive impact on clinical (A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight), behavioral (diabetes knowledge, being active, healthy eating, medication management, self-management, self-efficacy, empowerment), and psychosocial (social support, health and diabetes distress, depression, quality of life) outcomes. Research gaps exist related to understanding the effects of emerging technology-mediated peer support modalities and the effects of peer support on gestational diabetes. CONCLUSION: Many clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial benefits related to in-person and technology-mediated peer support exist. Diabetes care and education specialists should incorporate and recommend peer support resources for people with diabetes.
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There is growing evidence for the role of community health workers, peer leaders, and lay leaders in providing ongoing support.
“Additionally, there is growing evidence for the role of community health workers (71,72), as well as peer (71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76) and lay leaders (77), in providing ongoing support.”
From 5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes:<i>Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023</i> (2023) · cites this paper as [76]
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- Authors
- Litchman, M. L., Oser, T. K., Hodgson, L., Heyman, M., Walker, H. R., Deroze, P., Rinker, J., & Warshaw, H.
- Affiliations
- University of Utah (US)
- University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
- Saratoga Hospital (US)
- Center for Diabetes and Mental Health, San Diego, California
- United Arab Emirates University (AE)
- American Association of Diabetes Educators (US)
- Hope Warshaw Associates, LLC, Asheville, North Carolina
- Corresponding author
- Litchman, Michelle L.
- ORCID
- Venue
- The Diabetes Educator
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2020-04-23
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 230-241
- ISSN
- 0145-7217 (ISSN-L)
- 1554-6063
- OpenAlex
- W3019410468
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 1.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Education
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Keywords
- peer support, diabetes management, glycemic control, HbA1c, self-management, self-efficacy, diabetes distress, depression, social support, quality of life, gestational diabetes mellitus, diabetes education
- MeSH terms
- Self-Management, Diabetes Mellitus, Female, Humans, Male, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Peer Group, Pregnancy, Review Literature as Topic, Social Support, Meta-Analysis as Topic, Diabetes, Gestational, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Biomedical Technology
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