1.
What is Healthy Living with Diabetes?
Healthy Living with Diabetes is an evidence-based six-week, peer-led community workshop, based on the theory that people with type 2 diabetes have similar concerns and problems. The program has been proven to empower participants with skills needed to improve their diabetes self-management and increase their quality of life.
2.
What is the structure of the program?
Workshop sessions are 2½ hours once a week for 6 weeks. They are led by two specially trained lay leaders, at least one of whom has type 2 diabetes or lives with someone who does, using a highly scripted manual.
Three key elements of the program are: brainstorming, problem-solving, and developing and reporting on individual weekly “action plans.”
3.
How was the program developed?
With grant funds from the California HealthCare Foundation, researchers at Stanford University Patient
Education and Research Center, certified diabetes educators and individuals with diabetes developed the program. Stanford researchers then conducted randomized clinical trials to evaluate it.
4.
What’s the evidence base?
The American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators are two well-recognized entities for creating evidence-based curriculums and consensus statements regarding diabetes patient care. Healthy Living with Diabetes is based on these guidelines and curriculums (See Diabetes Care, January 2013). For a more detailed explanation of the evidence that proves this programs effectiveness please see Community-Based Peer-Led Diabetes Self-
management: A Randomized Trial, Kate Lorig, Philip L. Ritter, Frank J. Villa and Jean Armas 
 The
Diabetes Educator 2009 35: 641 originally published online 30 April 2009.
5.
What topics does the workshop address?
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Techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, stress and emotional problems such as anger, fear, frustration, etc.
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Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
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Healthy eating
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Appropriate use of medication
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Working more effectively with health care providers
6.
How is this workshop different from the services of a CDE?
The workshop topics are similar to those addressed by CDEs. The approach is different. There is a strong evidence base showing that peer-led group education can be very effective in helping motivate people to take care of themselves. This workshop is peer-led and the leaders create a supportive atmosphere that supports group problem-solving dynamics as compared to an expert and student approach. The workshop does not provide any individualized medical advice or clinical oversight. This allows for more discussion time on the day-to-day of living with diabetes and encourages participants to assist themselves and each other with addressing problems. The participant’s health care team prescribes the “what” needs to be done; the
Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop gives peer support to the “how” any given individual will

get it done. Example: the provider determines the initial medication to be prescribed. A participant may struggle with taking the medication as prescribed (e.g., forget to take it at the recommended time of day). The person could ask the group for help and ask group members how they remember to take their medications. Then that individual could put her own plan in place to take her meds as prescribed. The CDE assists in monitoring the effects of the medication and making adjustments as necessary.
7.
If a person has access to a CDE, should he or she take the program or see a CDE?
CDEs monitor and advise on individual situations. Strong partnership can occur to amplify the effects of self-management education. In most communities offering it, workshop participation has led to an increase in referrals to CDEs. A CDE is trained to work with patients on multiple medical problems, not just diabetes. Additionally, a CDE usually has a close working relationship with patients’ primary care providers so they can help bridge a gap between the patient and his or her individual provider . With community support, patients have higher success rates and improved A1Cs.
8.
How can lay leaders teach the program?
The workshop uses a highly detailed manual developed by the Stanford Patient Education
Research Center. It is taught by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are peer leaders with diabetes themselves. Workshop leaders attend a four-day training where they learn how to deliver – and stick to – the highly scripted manual. Stanford research has evaluated the program to ensure adherence to the script, that Leaders have mastered group facilitation skills and are not providing any medical advice.
9.
What happens if a participant thinks the program information conflicts with medical advice?
The program does not conflict with existing programs or treatment. For individual or medical questions, program leaders refer participants to their physicians, certified diabetes educators or other health care providers. If a participant believes the content of the course conflicts with instructions he received from his provider(s), the workshop leaders advise the participant to follow the provider’s orders and discuss any perceived conflicts with the provider.
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Healthy Living with Diabetes community led classes and Certified Diabetes Educators working together on behalf of people living with Diabetes is a powerful combination that results in greater control and improved health. For more information on how you can get involved please contact….
The Wisconsin Institute on Healthy Aging at: 608-243-5691 www.wihealthyaging.org
“After attending the Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop I felt better prepared to use my time in the doctor’s office well. I am more motivated to keep working on making changes.”
Healthy Living with Diabetes Waukesha County participant