Paula Trief, PhD (photo by Jim Howe) Paula Trief, PhD (photo by Jim Howe) Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how sugar is processed by the body. The condition affects a person's overall health, and that person has to take an active role in the management of his or her diabetes. Some medical caregivers are pursuing "partner intervention" as a way to help improve diabetes self-management. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how sugar is processed by the body. The condition affects a person's overall health, and that person has to take an active role in the management of his or her diabetes. Some medical caregivers are pursuing "partner intervention" as a way to help improve diabetes self-management. Paula Trief, PhD Paula Trief, PhD, , explains a study she co-authored that shows the partner approach can work. explains a study she co-authored that shows the partner approach can work. Trief, a psychologist who has worked extensively with patients with diabetes, is a distinguished service professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate. Trief, a psychologist who has worked extensively with patients with diabetes, is a distinguished service professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate.