Train Peer Supporters
Please see Disclaimer: Peer Support Resources below.
(Unit 1, Mod. 1.2, Section 5)Ethical Considerations
What is it?
Ethics refers to basic standards of right and wrong. For a peer supporter, ethical considerations include, but are not limited to, respecting others' rights, confidentiality, doing no harm, and maintaining boundaries.
Why is it important?
Ethical considerations are important so that no one is harmed, physically or emotionally. Peer supporters should be trained in basic ethical principles so they may understand the limits of their power, influence, and care, and how to deal with difficult people and situations.
Learn more about ethical considerations for peer support from the following resources:
- The American Association of Diabetes Educators has a Code of Ethics for all certified diabetes educators.
Find handouts, tools, and educational modules on ethical considerations to help train peer supporters and offer peer support:
- The Arizona Department of Health Services created a workbook on ethics and boundaries for peer supporters.
- The University of Kansas' Community Toolbox contains resources on influencing people and dealing with difficult people and difficult situations.
Disclaimer: Peer Support Resources
Peers for Progress aims to serve peer support programs around the world by providing a compilation of web-based resources for developing and enhancing these programs. Framed by peer support's core functions as outlined in Learn, we selected these materials from varied sources and from materials provided to us. In doing so, we have sought to include materials that reflect state-of-the-art knowledge of diabetes, peer support, diabetes management, and health promotion. Users should exercise their own judgment in assessing the appropriateness of materials for their own setting and population. Peers for Progress assumes no responsibility for the quality of evidence on which materials are based or consequences of their use.
Peers for Progress has no financial interests with specific websites or organizations listed in this section. For a full listing of our partnerships, please read About Us.
If a user would like to suggest additional resources, please Contact Us. As you use and possibly adapt resources, please give credit to the developing organization.


Peers for Progress is a program of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and supported by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.

