AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Telephone-Based Mentoring From Demographically Similar Peers Improves Diabetes Control in African-American Veterans

AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Telephone-Based Mentoring From Demographically Similar Peers Improves Diabetes Control in African-American Veterans

Summary At the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, African-American veterans with diabetes who had their blood glucose under control served as mentors to diabetes patients with a similar racial background who did not. After completing a 1-hour training session, mentors telephoned (and in some cases met with) their assigned patient on a regular basis over a 6-month period to help them address diabetes-related challenges, such as diet, exercise, and insulin use. The program significantly reduced blood glucose levels and generated a positive reaction from many participants. Evidence Rating  Strong: The evidence consists of a randomized trial comparing trends in blood glucose levels among diabetes patients receiving peer mentoring to a control group of similar patients who did not. Additional evidence includes post-implementation interviews with participants about their perceptions of the program.

Developing Organizations

Philadelphia VA Medical Center

Date First Implemented

2009

Patient Population

Race and Ethnicity > Black or African American; Vulnerable Populations > Military/Dependents/VeteranS