Microclinic Social Induction Pilot Intervention for Diabetes and Obesity Management in Qatar

Summary

The purpose of the study is to pilot-phase test the effectiveness of the microclinic social induction model and its effects on behavioral and metabolic outcomes in different levels of social and familial relationships in Qatar. The investigators novel microclinic model is based on the principle that both healthy and unhealthy behaviors spread through preexisting social networks. A microclinic is a small group of approximately 2-8 friends or family members who are taught to modify their own behaviors as well as the behaviors of those around them, with a particular focus on the four "M's": Meals, Movement, Monitoring, and Medication. More than social support groups or peer-to-peer interventions, the microclinic model is unique in its focus on the long-term propagation of healthy behaviors throughout a participant's entire social network. Qatar is uniquely positioned (with its central geographic location in the Gulf region and its leadership in science and education) to spearhead a regional intervention focused on managing and preventing diabetes in the Gulf region.

Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
• Overweight and Obesity
• Hypertension
• Behavioral Lifestyle Change
• Social Change

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Microclinic Social Induction Diabetes and Obesity Program

Microclinics consist of 2-8 individuals from pre-existing social networks (friends, relatives, coworkers, neighbors, etc) that voluntarily participate in ongoing education and medical monitoring from local health care professionals, learning and practicing diabetes management strategies, sharing much-needed medical supplies, and exchanging social support.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Qatar University

  collaborator OTHER

• Qatar Foundation

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Qatar Diabetes Association

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Qatar Supreme Council of Health

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

  collaborator OTHER

• Microclinic International

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eric L Ding, PhD · Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

• Daniel Zoughbie, DPhil · Microclinic International

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-06-30

Primary Completion

2014-11-30

Completion

2014-11-30

Countries

• Qatar

Study Locations