Diabetes Walking Clinic: Helping Patients Manage their Diabetes One Step at a Time

With every step, Brien Pepperdine is helping to slow the progression of Type II Diabetes.

He is part of an innovative and unconventional diabetes clinic at MGH where he talks with his doc, while he walks. It’s called the Walking Diabetes Clinic and it’s the only one of its kind in Ontario.

“To have something a little more informal with the opportunity for more relationships between the doctor and the patient is a good thing,” said Brien Pepperdine.

The program was developed by out-of-box thinkers, Dr. Rebecca Fine, an endocrinologist and Lisa Sparrow, registered nurse and diabetes educator.

The newest research shows that we shouldn’t be sitting for long periods of time,” said Lisa. “And what were we doing in the traditional appointment? We were sitting for long periods of time and telling patients what a great thing it would be to walk more.”

“I remember thinking, why can’t we do the same thing while we’re all walking together – why can’t patients and clinicians conduct an appointment on the move, not only promoting physical activity, but putting it in practice?” said Dr. Fine.

At the Diabetes Walking Clinic, a group of roughly six patients undergo an individual health exam where practitioners measure blood pressure and weight. Then they walk with the doctor for 30 minutes, rotating to speak to the physician individually.

Since 2012, the program has had great success motivating patients to exercise outside the clinic appointment. Dr. Fine says that before the clinic started, many patients found daily exercise daunting. “It’s just a matter of showing people 30 minutes a day is relatively easy to achieve,” said Dr. Fine. “We have found that the clinic not only fosters friendships, but also helps build the confidence to continue a daily walking routine.”

Pepperdine has taken part in the Walking Clinic for the last three years. He has seen the improvement of his health firsthand. “We a saw a 25 to 30 per cent reduction in blood sugar,” said Pepperdine. “It shows what you can do with even a moderate amount of exercise.”