The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) today released new guidance and supporting resources to help diabetes care and education specialists assess and address the social and emotional support networks of people with diabetes. These resources include a new perspectives in practice paper, The Role and Value of Ongoing and Peer Support in Diabetes Care and Education, published in the December issue of The Diabetes Educator, outlining key areas for the diabetes care team to integrate peer support into practice.  

Diabetes care and education specialists play an important role in offering education and skill-building that encourage effective self-management and are a critical point of care to refer people with diabetes to resources for support. Studies show that peer support complements healthcare services by fulfilling a vital psychosocial need that supports diabetes management and boost health outcomes.  

The new perspectives in practice paper outlines highlights the different types of peer support and its value on clinical outcomes. Healthcare professionals can also find recommended strategies to tailor and integrate peer support into their practice setting. 

A handout for people with diabetes is also available on AADE’s new peer support page. It highlights the benefits of connecting to peer support communities and offers more than 25 forums and organizations for people with diabetes to explore and engage with, empowering individuals to connect with support networks that work for their life stage, background and individual needs. 

Healthcare professionals who work closely with people with diabetes are encouraged to access AADE’s new guidance and resources at DiabetesEducator.org/PeerSupportForHCP.