Table 1 Elements of supported self-management for type 2 diabetes

What self-management of diabetes involves

○ Food—buying, preparing, eating

○ Weight control or weight loss

○ Physical activity or exercise

○ Looking after your body—foot care, dental care

○ Healthy living—alcohol, smoking

○ Taking tablets

○ Visiting professionals—dental care, medical care, eye checks

○ Maintaining emotional wellbeing

Components of self-management programmes

○ Education—about diabetes and what it is; what self-management involves

○ Problem solving

○ Goal setting, planning

○ Monitoring and feedback, e.g. blood glucose, weight, dietary intake, tablets take

○ Skills development—foot care, self-monitoring of blood glucose, preparing food, use of IT

○ Effective use of other people and resources, e.g. company when going swimming/walking

○ Managing emotions and building confidence

Format: what does ‘supported’ mean?

○ Written materials

○ Charts—fridge door charts, ‘plan your plate’, diaries

○ DVD

○ Web-based programmes—static or interactive/moderated

○ Telephone or SMS contact—prompts or interactive

○ IT—beeping fridges, watches, tablet boxes, smart phones, etc.

○ Groups, e.g. nurse-led, third sector, exercise group, group education

○ Professional contact—nurse, diabetes educator, GP,

○ Peer support—informal, trained peer support, family, couples work

Tailoring of content and format

○ Literacy and other intellectual attainment

○ Sensory impairments

○ Language difficulties—non English, comprehension or speech problems

○ Self-nominated goals or problems

○ Professionally identified priorities

○ Living arrangements

○ Supporter’s priorities