BACKGROUND The efficacy of peer support in Chinese diabetes patients is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of a peer support program on the outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes who received community-based insulin therapy in rural communities of central China. MATERIAL/METHODS Two hundred and eight eligible patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly as...

The requirements on infrastructures for digital learning are changing as learners become more and more mobile. Ad hoc interactions, dynamically changing learning teams and communication and collaboration centered learning have to be considered. In contrast to traditional digital learning environments focused on simulation, content representation and distance learning support, we focuse on colla...

BACKGROUND A therapeutic matrix for women who had survived breast cancer was designed by combining the principle of interactive peer support with the exploratory approach of group therapy. METHOD An observation instrument was designed and applied to the recorded therapeutic sessions, thereby enabling the multidimensional coding of the interactive support process. Lag sequential analysis was t...

In this paper some of the differences in characteristics of groups that are composed of mainly UK or Chinese students are discussed. In particular, the rationale for some of the issues that frustrate Western educators are described. A proposal is made as to how some of these problems can be overcome. An approach involving cross-year tutoring is used. In this case, however, as the course dominat...

BACKGROUND Most mothers stop breast-feeding before the recommended 6 months post partum. A systematic review showed that breast-feeding support programs by health care professionals did not substantially improve breast-feeding outcomes beyond 2 months post partum. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of peer (mother-to-mother) support on breast-feeding duration amon...