Communication and Diabetes

: Dialogue with the Devil; Kerri Sparling, diabetes advocate, blogger, and person living with type 1 diabetes, provides her perspective on the importance of talking about diabetes and the power of sharing stories., diabetes, patients

: I'm with Fred; Martin Wood, Editor in Chief for The PLAID Journal, introduces the concept behind the journal and its goal of connecting individuals touched by diabetes including those working with diabetes and those living with diabetes. Wood also provides his own personal story about his relationship with diabetes. He says:Diabetes has made me who I am, and it has made all of the people in the following pages who they are. Within this journal, you will meet a variety of people touched by diabetes, regardless of what type of diabetes they have been gifted with in their lives. You will meet people with diabetes, just like me. You will meet friends and loved ones of people with diabetes, who support us, love us, and admire us for far more than just our courage to live every day with a chronic disease. You will meet healthcare professionals who work to improve how we live with and understand diabetes, including endocrinologists, primary care physicians, certified diabetes educators, and more. You will also hear from researchers, and through their academic expertise and curiosity, gain from their perspectives about the disease., diabetes, patients

: Let's Grow Together; Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologist, provides his perspective on the role communication can play in the successful management of diabetes. Dr. Deeb is the Director for the Diabetes Center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida and Clinical Professor in Pediatrics and Behavioral and Social Medicine at Florida State University., diabetes, patients

: Looking at Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications from a Different Angle; Gail Galasko, PhD provides her perspective as a professor of pharmacology and researcher working in the area of diabetes research. Dr. Galasko encourages those working with diabetes to communicate the bigger picture of diabetes and its complications by raising awareness of some newer research findings in the field., diabetes, patients, pharmacology, complications

: Provider Attention to Weight of Pediatric Latino Patients; Objective: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses among pediatric patients, and the number of youth living with this condition is expected to grow -- particularly among minority ethnic youth. Type 2 diabetes, historically a disease of older overweight adults, is now being diagnosed in children, along with a rise in childhood obesity. Unfortunately, primary care providers infrequently communicate the weight of pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to assess communication of weight-related information between providers and Latino children and their parents during well-child office visits. Research Design and Methods: This study utilized chart reviews and structured interviews to assess the level at which weight-related information was communicated to Latino children and their parents during well-child office visits. Results: Results indicated that providers are inconsistent in their provision of weight information and are more likely to include weight-related chart documentation when children are younger and when they have a high body mass index (BMI). Parents intent to take corrective actions to improve their child's diet and exercise was more likely when the provider documented that weight information was provided in the child's chart. Conclusion: Findings from this study contributed to the development of a toolkit designed to improve primary care providers behavioral skills for implementation of clinical guidelines, including routine assessment of weight and patient-centered interventions in the treatment of obesity., diabetes, type 2, bmi, obesity, children

: Talking About the Highs and Lows; Meri Schuhmacher, a mother of children with type 1 diabetes, provides her perspective on the importance of talking about the highs and lows of life with diabetes., diabetes, patients, communication

: Trust Your Team; Lori Blanton, a certified diabetes educator, provides her perspective on the role communication can play in the successful management of diabetes., diabetes, patients, communication

: Two Sides of the Same Story; Healthcare providers recognize that with only 5 to 10 minutes per average consultation, there is little time for meaningful dialogue between patient and provider. Asking individual patients "What is the most difficult part of living with diabetes?" or "What are your greatest concerns about your diabetes?" can often get right to the heart of the matter in a few minutes., diabetes, communication, patients

: Understanding Stress Among Adults Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at a Younger Age; Objective: Little data exists regarding the emerging population of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at a younger age. This study was conducted to gain insight related to diabetes distress and self-efficacy among adults diagnosed with T2DM between 18-40 years of age. Research Design and Methods: Individuals diagnosed with T2DM between 18-40 years of age (n = 118) completed an online survey in either English or Spanish. The survey included two validated scales to understand levels of diabetes distress and self-efficacy. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences among gender, while Pearson correlation coefficients were conducted to examine the relationships of current age, age of diagnosis, duration of diabetes, HbA1c values, and insulin use with multiple domains of diabetes distress and self-efficacy. Results: Both regimen-related distress and interpersonal distress were reported at levels worthy of clinical attention. Overall diabetes-related distress, emotional-burden, and physician-related distress were slightly below the level of clinical significance. Bivariate analysis suggests strong positive relationships between HbA1c values and each domain of diabetes distress. Additionally, negative correlations were found between insulin use and overall diabetes distress, emotional-burden, physician-related distress, regimen-related distress, and interpersonal distress. Conclusions: Findings suggest adults diagnosed with T2DM at a younger age experience levels of diabetes distress worthy of clinical attention, particularly regarding regimen-related and interpersonal distress. T2DM programs should include psychosocial education and communication strategies for improving social support to enhance overall quality of life for this population., diabetes, type 2, stress

: Using Photo-Elicitation to Explore Young Adult Perspectives on Coping with Type 1 Diabetes; Objective: Young adults with type 1diabetes face multiple challenges managing their disease and navigating the life transitions of emerging adulthood. This places them at increased risk for poor health and psychological outcomes. The purpose of the present formative evaluation study was to assess the impact of diabetes on their lives and identify salient messages for health promotion using an online photo elicitation technique. Research Design and Method: Thirty young adults participated by submitting photographs and written narratives describing how diabetes has impacted their lives. Results: Diabetes negatively impacts young adults social connections, identity, and self-perceptions; yet, mechanisms for coping and personal growth were identified among participants. Conclusions: Young adults with diabetes face significant challenges in coping with the disease; however, they are able to reframe their experience in positive ways using effective coping strategies such as communicating with others who understand what life with diabetes is like and developing social connections., diabetes, type 1, photo elicitation, narratives

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