CommuniT1D

Why ?

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be incredibly isolating. Many people with type 1 diabetes know few or no others in their situation. In addition to the diabetes itself, a person may feel even more isolated due to their specific circumstances. For example, living as a racialized person with T1D, caring for a very young child with T1D, dealing with diabetes complications, or no longer having provincial insurance coverage. Currently, there are few peer support services available for people with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

This study will be conducted using a variety of methods and approaches:

Regular meetings between researchers and people with type 1 diabetes to develop and implement CommuniT1D virtual peer support communities.
Surveys of leaders and members of CommuniT1D communities to collect data on their diabetes, mental health, quality of life, well-being and satisfaction with CommuniT1D.
Individual interviews with peer leaders and members of CommuniT1D to understand why virtual communities of practice work, for whom and why.
Collaboration with institutions and organizations to ensure the sustainability of peer support communities.

This project is led by people with type 1 diabetes, many of whom have faced diabetes-related mental health challenges.

Goals

Our overall goal is to develop a sustainable peer support program, led by people living with type 1 diabetes, to improve the mental health and quality of life of people living with type 1 diabetes across Canada.

Specific objectives:

Create CommuniT1D, a digital health program including: a) a community of practice of peer leaders living with type 1 diabetes to facilitate virtual peer support group meetings, b) a network of virtual peer support groups composed of people with type 1 diabetes who also share other characteristics or situations (e.g., language, ethnocultural group, life stage).
To assess the extent to which participation in CommuniT1D can influence mental and physical health outcomes related to diabetes.
Determine which aspects of CommuniT1D work, for whom and why.
Ensuring the long-term viability of CommuniT1D.

Research team

Abdoulaye Thiaw, Université Laval

Andrea Limbourg

Charles Racine, Université Laval

Cherise Shockley

Crésence Joelle Mefou Tasong

Gaèl Précieux Ayihounton, Université Laval

Hina Hakim

Jackie Bender, Princess Margaret Research Center

Korey Hood, Stanford University

Yves Fernand N'Da, Université Laval

Holly Witteman, Université Laval

Adiyat Najam, Diabetes Action Canada

Virtue Bajurny, Diabetes Action Canada

Maman Joyce Dogba, Université Laval

Dana Greenberg, University of Toronto

Matthew Menear, Université Laval

Ruth Ndjaboue, Diabetes Action Canada

Annie LeBlanc, Université Laval

Dylan MacKay, Université du Manitoba

Justin Presseau, Université d'Ottawa

Denis Boutin

Dana Tannenbaum

Michaëlla Etienne

Marley Greenberg

Peter Senior, University of Alberta

Renza Scibilia

Sandrine Comeau, Université Laval

Sasha Delorme

Selma Chipenda Dansokho, Université Laval

Shayla Hele

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CommuniT1D