I Help You, and You Help Me

Purpose The feasibility and acceptability of using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)–based platform to facilitate peer support among older adults with diabetes was evaluated. Methods Diabetes patients with poor glycemic control receiving care at a Veterans' Affairs medical center completed a baseline survey, received rudimentary training, and were matched based on their diabetes-related self-management needs. They were asked to contact their partner weekly using the toll-free IVR calling line. At the completion of the 6-week period, participants completed follow-up surveys and brief telephone interviews. Results Forty of 76 patients screened for eligibility by telephone agreed to participate, and 38 completed the 6-week intervention (50% of eligible patients). More than 80% of the pairs spoke at least once a week for 2 of the 6 weeks of the intervention. A total of 79% of the participants reported that the IVR system was easy to use, and 90% stated that they would be more satisfied with their health care if this type of peer support service were available. Of the participants, 70% found the calls helpful in managing diabetes symptoms, 73% reported that their partner helped them improve their self-care, and 70% stated that they helped their partner do things to stay healthy. There were significant improvements in participants' reported diabetes self-care self-efficacy between baseline and follow-up assessments (P< .01). Qualitative assessments suggested that participants found meaning and positive reinforcement for their own self-care through supporting their partner's efforts to manage diabetes. Conclusions An IVR peer support intervention is feasible, acceptable to patients, and may have positive effects on patients' diabetes self-management and health outcomes that warrant more rigorous evaluation in a randomized trial.