Storytelling to Support Disease Self-Management by Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract Objectives This pilot project aimed to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a group storytelling intervention to support self-management among adults living with type 2 diabetes. Methods Two waves of a single-arm storytelling intervention, consisting of 8 sessions at a community health centre, were delivered to 8 adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes educators facilitated each session, in which patients shared stories about diabetes-self-management topics of their choice. Focus groups with both patients and facilitators explored the feasibility and acceptability of the sessions. External raters assessed the fidelity of the interventionu0027s implementation. Results Overarching themes describe the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention: 1) the facilitation of patient self-direction, group cohesion, collective learning and support; 2) roles of facilitator educator, and peer learner; 3) the interventionu0027s customization to patientsu0027 preferences. The sessions were delivered with high fidelity (averaging 84.4%). Conclusions Informal group storytelling enables patients to discuss, understand and give personal meaning to the information that was exchanged, and facilitates educatorsu0027 better understanding of patientsu0027 concerns and gaps in knowledge and how-to strategies that can inform their practice. The group storytelling intervention is acceptable to patients and educators and can be delivered with high fidelity. Further research into effective patient recruitment methods and evaluation of the interventionu0027s impact on diabetes self-management is required.