Creative Writing for Type 2 Diabetes Management (CrewD)

The aim was to increase education about the disease by using narrative skills through the CrewD Program. The sessions were conducted by two group leaders: a health professional and a literature professor manager of creative writing groups.

Each session had a title, which parallels the classical structured educational approach (active comparator condition), which was known in advance by the subjects: a) Who I am in Diabetes?; b) Nutrition; c) The body where I live; d) Fears; e) Can attention change things?; and f) Roots.

Team leaders directed a discussion of different texts used in the sessions with the participants focusing on their feelings and on how the texts relate to themselves and to their diabetes. Patients were encouraged to participate and freely express their opinion.

Each session was 90 minutes long, with a similar internal structure in all of them. Each session included the following topics: a) Chronic Disease; b) Nutrition; c) Exercise; d) Complications; e) Self-management; and f) Diabetic foot. The sessions were held in a large room, in which the seats were arranged in circle. Every session was chaired by two healthcare providers, who worked as group leaders.

There was a different visual presentation in each session, with relevant theoretical information. A board with sheets of paper was available for use in the discussion along with brochures about the disease.

Patients were encouraged to actively participate and take part in group-problem solving. Group leaders guided the discussion by asking questions and encouraging the discussion.