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Resources for People Living with Diabetes

The Importance of Peer Support

Online and In-person Support for People Living with Diabetes

Peer Support

Diabetes is a 24/7 disease and that means making important management decisions anytime, anywhere. Working with a diabetes educator or other healthcare professional is key, but the few hours many with diabetes are able to spend with them isn't enough.

Peer support communities, both online and in-person, can help fill in the gap of continuing support. These organizations, online forums, Facebook groups and others offer a sense of community and outlet of support for the day-to-day challenges of managing diabetes. 


 
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Evidence on Why You Should Consider Online Peer Support

Increased access to the internet and social media has allowed individuals across the globe to connect in ways that weren’t previously possible. Vibrant communities have formed that engage users from many backgrounds in information sharing and peer support around a specific topic. But do these bustling online communities offer real health benefits?

  

Learn More

 

AADE is proud to be a founding partner of Beyond Type 2, a new space for those affected by type 2 diabetes. Brought to you by the folks from Beyond Type 1, this site aims "to unite the global community and empower everyone living with type 2 to live beyond it." 

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Exploring Peer-to-Peer Health Advice

An Underutilized Resource Available to Anyone

This video from Reframe Health and Susannah Fox defines what peer-to-peer health advice is, and all of the ways you can access it to help further your health and wellness goals.


Peer Support Resources

Peer Support Tip Sheet

Download our peer support tip sheet, highlighting all the ways you can engage with diabetes-focused peer support communities.

Downloads

Spanish Language Resources

Peer support resources curated by Beyond Type 1 are available at DiabetesEducator.org/Spanish

 

Additional Tools for Healthcare Professionals

Access more peer support tips and tools from healthcare professionals and others who participated in a Twitter chat with AADE and Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. Download Now

Peer Support Sessions from the 2018 AADE Annual Conference: 

The Educator’s Role in Advocating Peer Support: Why, When, and How?

Listen and Learn: The Perspectives of a Panel of People with Diabetes

Peer Support Communities Improving Mental Health for People with Diabetes – Let’s Talk About it!

 

The Power of Peer Support

Online peer support communities have categorically changed my life for the better!  I found online forums, Facebook groups, and support communities filled with people just like me. I was amazed at how many people replied with reassuring answers and it wasn’t long before I made some diabuddies who I felt safe to call on when I needed help.

       - Rachel, diagnosed with LADA



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More on Peer Support

State of the Science: A Scoping Review and Gap Analysis of Diabetes Online Communities
Michelle L. Litchman, et al
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 
First Published March 10, 2019

Building Bridges Through Collaboration and Consensus: Expanding Awareness and Use of Peer Support and Peer Support Communities Among People With Diabetes, Caregivers, and Health Care Providers
Hope Warshaw, David Edelman
First published November 4, 2018

Peer Support May Cut Costs, Boost Health of People with Diabetes and Depression
Andrea L. Cherrington, Yulia Khodneva, Joshua S. Richman, Susan J. Andreae, Christopher Gamboa and Monika M. Safford
First published October 29, 2018; Issue published: October 2018

Sometimes Patients Simply Need Other Patients by the New York Times
Using the internet for a diagnosis is not recommended, but there's great power in sharing stories.

Learn, Connect, Engage: Peer Support Communities (Podcast)
Learn more about peer support, its impact, and how you can become involved in this podcast from Sound Bites.

Educators and Peer Support Communities: Working Together for the Good of People with Diabetes
In October 2017 AADE worked with the technology work group to bring together stakeholders from the peer support communities and AADE/diabetes educator communities to identify ways in which both groups can work together to better serve those affected by diabetes. This is a report from that meeting.

Effect of Diabetes Online Community Engagement on Health Indicators: Cross-Sectional Study
Michelle Litchman, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, et al
First published April 4, 2018; Issue published: April-June

"Superstar" Patients with Diabetes Can Inspire Others
Barbara D Smith, BSPharm, RPh, CDE
First Published December 18, 2015; Issue published: January 2016

T1D Exchange: An Online Community for People Touched by Type 1 Diabetes
Amy Bevan
First Published June 21, 2017; Issue, published: July 2017

Psychosocial Educational Needs of College Students Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
Jennifer Saylor PhD, RN, APRN, et al
First Published October 23, 2017; Issue published: November 2017

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