Social support strategies in adult patients with diabetes: a review of strategies in the USA and Europe

Abstract

Improvement of adherence in patients with a chronic disease state such as diabetes can be facilitated through well-crafted social support strategies. Family and friends are support options for many individuals living with diabetes. A systematic search of three databases was conducted to evaluate literature published from 2006 to April 2013 regarding social support in adults with diabetes conducted in the USA and Europe. While various studies had different findings, the overall trend shows that social support can result in a positive influence on both the ability of the patient to initiate and sustain diabetes management that can potentially result in positive health outcomes. This appears true even when the patient has low psychosocial skills and a small social support network. Healthcare professional involvement also correlates with patient improvement in specific outcomes not overlapped by the patient’s social network. Support facilitated by peers can be a viable option along with the multitude of electronic options to help with social support.

Keywords::

• diabetes
• family
• friends
• health professionals
• management
• peer support
• social support

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Steven Feldman (Wake Forest School of Medicine, NC, USA), whose wisdom in adherence issues inspired the writing of this manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.