Key Takeaways

  • Provide support for people with type 2 diabetes in your community through a mailed self-management program. 

  • Help participants address every day activities like exercise, nutrition, and symptom management.

Diabetes Self-Management Mailed Tool Kit (with or without telephone scripts) is an interactive workshop delivered by mailed tool kit with materials that may be supplemented with six weekly scripted group telephone calls for 3-6 people on each call. For adults living with type 2 diabetes. Participants learn the skills to manage their diabetes on a day to day basis: exercise, healthy eating, symptom management (fatigue, sleep, stress, depression, hypoglycemia), weight loss, communication skills, how to manage sick days,  importance of glucose monitoring and about other necessary tests. Core self-management skills include action planning, problem solving and decision making. Content meets all ADA and ADCES standards.

Note: Track health promotion program guidance during COVID-19 regularly for updates to program implementation and training options. Programs traditionally implemented in-person may be temporarily allowable by telephone or online.

  • Target audience: Adults, 18 years and older, living with type 2 diabetes, especially those who cannot or will not use the internet.
  • Health outcomes: (Data taken from large national study done virtually and in person)
    • Improved health behaviors (exercise, medication adherence, communication with health professionals, role function)
    • Reduced  HbA1c
    • Increased adherence to advised examinations (eye, foot, kidney)
    • Improved  symptoms (hypoglycemia, depression,  fatigue, sleep problems)
    • Reduced health care costs
  • Delivered by: 1 trained peer facilitator (only if telephone calls are made)
  • Program type: Individual or small groups of 3-6
  • Format: Materials received through the mail (book, self-test, tip sheets, exercise CD or MP3, My Diabetes Plate magnet) with or without six weekly 45-60- minute small group phone calls.
  • Length: 6 weekly 45-60 minute sessions for those receiving phone calls.
  • Training: In-person or virtual (same training as for DSMP leaders)
  • Professional required: No
  • Accessibility adaptations available: Yes 
  • Cultural adaptations available: Yes 
  • Available in languages other than English: Spanish. See Manejo Personal de Su Diabetes (Spanish Diabetes Self-Management Program)
  • Topic(s):
    • Medication Management
    • Nutrition
    • Physical Activity

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