The impact of Community champions in promoting insulin initiation

What we are doing?

We are doing systematic literature review, including:

• Focus groups from minority populations with type 2 diabetes (started/ declined insulin therapy)
• Focus groups with healthcare practitioners in type 2 diabetes (doctors and nurses) from primary and secondary care discuss experiences with initiating insulin
• Develop training for community champions based on the literature review and focus group findings

Running 3 - 5 pilot sessions to collect user feedback.

Why we are doing it?

Ethnic minority populations are at significantly greater risk of delayed insulin initiation, due to a variety of factors including negative attitudes, language, culture and beliefs. Peer support is a potential avenue to address the delay in insulin initiation. Peer support is effective for improving knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards health promotion and disease prevention as recommended by NICE guidelines. The use of community champions who engage people from ethnic minority group and other socioeconomically deprived communities has proved effective in fostering patient engagement. The impact of community champions has not been investigated before and  represents an important avenue for research. 

What the benefits will be and to whom?

Community champions will help to educate patients with regards what T2Dm is signs and symptoms, myths and misconceptions, complications and available services in a way that is culturally appropriate, directly from the member of the community.

Who we are working with?

Leicester Diabetes Research Centre and the Centre for ethnic health research Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands and the National Institute of Health Research Leicester Biomedical Centre.  

Contact

Priscilla Katapa, Postgraduate Research Student, Doctoral College, University of Leicester, Pk284@le.ac.uk.