Diabetes Prevention Mentors

A unique part of the Norfolk DPS will involve recruiting and training members of the public already diagnosed with T2DM to be lifestyle mentors, known as Diabetes Prevention Mentors (DPMs). We believe that this will prevent participants with IFG from developing T2DM through offering motivational support to make lifestyle changes.

Using mentors to provide support in a diabetes prevention programme is unique and the Norfolk DPS aims to test whether telephone support, provided by those with the same health condition can have benefits for both participant and mentor alike.

Motivational calls

Each participant will receive a 15 minute semi-structured telephone call from an assigned DPM every 4 weeks during the education session phase (first 12 weeks) and then every 8 weeks in between their maintenance and physiotherapy sessions. These phone calls will fall in between when the participant receives their Maintenance sessions, therefore having contact with either their DPF or DPM every 4 weeks to enhance motivation.

DPMs and participants will be asked for their preferred time, either morning, afternoon or evening to make or receive the telephone calls.

The format of the 15 minute telephone call is based on physical activity and diet. Each DPM will receive a copy of the participant's latest Action Plan (a sheet completed by the participants outlining their goals, barriers and solutions to behaviour change) as a prompt and focus of the phone call.

Action plans will be used by each participant as a measure of setting and achieving goals.

At the first maintenance session each participant will be asked to complete their Action Plans (one for physical activity and one for diet). They will be asked to set themselves specific goals in relation to the areas of diet and physical activity which they feel they can meet over the next 8 weeks.

At their next maintenance session, the first 20 minutes will be spent discussing the group's action plans and if targets were met. If targets were met reinforcement will be given. If a participant's targets are not met the DPF facilitating the session will enquire as to possible barriers that prevented the target being met and employ relapse prevention techniques. Toward the end of the maintenance session, participants will be asked to complete new Action Plans for the next 8 weeks and re-set their goals for that time period.

This process if is reviewed and repeated at every maintenance session. This action plan will form the basis of the phone call, with appropriate emphasis on physical activity and dietary behaviour.

Preparation for the role

To prepare DPMs for the role, a series of training sessions are run, these informal sessions provide a chance to meet with the researchers and fellow mentors and to learn more about the mentoring role, diabetes and the importance of diet and exercise. Mentors who were involved with the previous feasibility study found these group sessions enjoyable and helpful.

Here's what they said:

"I felt part of a very worthwhile team and a genuine effort to make the study a success."

"Could not be bettered."

"Personally I found the talk not only totally interesting, surprising and fascinating, but instrumental in prompting and motivating me into a serious change in my healthy eating regime."

Any expenses incurred by the DPM relating to travel, parking or any other approved business in relation to the Norfolk DPS will be covered once authorised by the Senior Intervention RA and the DPMs will then be reimbursed by cheque. We recognise that the DPM role requires commitment and incurs some inconvenience therefore the DPMs will receive an honorarium payment of £350 pro rata at the end of the programme or as they leave.

Throughout their involvement in the study, DPMs will complete questionnaires and record body and biochemical measurements (BMI, weight, waist circumference, body fat mass, body fat percentage, FPG, HbA1c) to establish if these measurements alter in a positive way whilst acting in a mentoring capacity.

Getting involved

If you are interested or have any queries regarding the Diabetes Prevention Mentor role please contact Nikki Murray, Senior Intervention Research Associate, on 01603 597275 or email nikki.murray@nnuh.nhs.uk