Peer Support in Improving Self-Efficacy of Rural Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and the Application of Drugs to Reduce the Pain from Diabetes

Objective: This study aims to explore the effect of peer support in improving self-efficacy of rural patients with type 2 diabetes and the application of drugs to reduce the pain from diabetes. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes in the rural area were selected and they were divided into the peer group and control group with voluntary. The patients in peer support group applied six kinds of activity patterns, while the control group was carried out with routine activities. Results: Comparison indexes for the two groups are mastering degree of related knowledge to diabetes, control compliance rate of indicators related to diabetes, and management of diabetes self-efficacy. Comparing with the control group, indexes in peer support group were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, in the table of diabetes distress, 17 items have been improved and the occurrence rate of painful diabetic decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Peer support can improve the rural patients’ self-efficacy of type 2 diabetes and decrease patients’ pain from type 2 diabetes mellitus.