Global Director of Peers for Progress visits Min-Sheng General Hospital

Professor Edwin B.Fisher, Global Director of Peers for Progress came to Min-Sheng General Hospital to introduce that program, and learn about the initiatives taken by our hospital to support diabetic patients, and help them cope with the management of their disease. Peers for Progress is a program of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation to promote peer support as a key part of health, health care, and prevention around the world. Peers here refer to people dealing with a similar disease, or condition, who share experiences and can provide practical, social, and emotional support to manage and maintain good behaviors for health.

Even in developed countries, patients suffering from diabetes or depression are often left to deal with a disease or its aftermath by themselves, which can lead to a deterioration of their condition. The availability of a network of people -peers- who understand their predicament and needs can greatly improve the circumstances of these patients. Dr. Fisher who is a professor at the Gillins School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where the Peers for Progress program development center is located, was very impressed with the patient support system put in place by the Diabetes Center at Min-Sheng Hospital since 2005. Initiatives include bi-monthly information sessions, nutrition and body care classes, group exercise classes, and tele-monitoring of patients through Min-Sheng's SmartCare platform.