Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 113-118, March 2004

A brief, regular, proactive telephone “coaching” intervention for diabetes:

Rationale, description, and preliminary results

  • William P Sacco

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-813-974-0375; fax: +1-813-974-4617
    • Department of Psychology, PCD 4118G, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
    • ,
  • Anthony D Morrison

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
    • ,
  • John I Malone

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

Received 23 July 2002; received in revised form 16 October 2002; accepted 11 November 2002.

Abstract 

Telephone-delivered interventions (TDIs) represent a potentially cost-effective method to increase medical adherence. TDIs for diabetes patients have typically been delivered by nurses or computerized telephone messaging. Psychology undergraduates, however, are less costly than nurses, have a strong background in behavioral science, and provide the personal relationship missing with computerized contact. This paper presents the rationale for and description of a brief, regular, proactive telephone intervention designed to be delivered by psychology undergraduates (i.e., paraprofessionals). “Coaches” administer a 15-min telephone intervention weekly for 3 months and biweekly for 3 additional months. Guided by a semistructured protocol that focuses on behavioral goals, coaches provides support, collaborative problem-solving, and apply basic cognitive-behavioral techniques. Results from a pilot study on type 1 diabetes patients are presented. This preliminary evidence suggests that the program is feasible, acceptable to a large majority of patients, and effective in reducing HbA1c levels.

Keywords:  Diabetes, Adherence, Telephone intervention

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PII: S1056-8727(02)00254-4

doi:10.1016/S1056-8727(02)00254-4

Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications
Volume 18, Issue 2 , Pages 113-118, March 2004

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