7/14/2023 0 Comments Lack of timely communication![]() ![]() Perhaps the person with diabetes is not expecting emotional issues to be discussed during a consultation. While half of health professionals report asking their patients with diabetes about emotional issues only one quarter of people with diabetes report that a healthcare professional has asked such questions of them. Yet, distress related to living with diabetes is not often acknowledged by healthcare professionals. Numerous studies demonstrate that people with diabetes want support with the psychosocial aspects of diabetes. However, this conversation is not (yet) part of routine practice. Healthcare professionals can assist people with diabetes to develop or strengthen their skills and confidence for effective self-management – but first a conversation is needed to establish what challenges the person is facing, and how to assist the person to overcome them. Anything I say or recommend will not be taken in if the patient’s issues are not dealt with first." - Practice nurse "Patients have their agenda… … not dealt with they cannot move on. This change can be very powerful because the way a person feels about their diabetes can have a significant impact on their motivation and ability to manage it. For example, they may no longer feel isolated by feelings of guilt and frustration about getting ‘off-track’ with their diabetes management. Having a conversation about how diabetes impacts on the person’s emotional health can help them to feel that someone understands their perspective and is ‘on their side’. This is true in relation to general psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety, but also to the emotional impact of living with diabetes. The most obvious reason for being attentive to emotions and mental health is to recognise the person’s need for support. These skills are relevant no matter whether the issue is physical or emotional. These are essential tools that healthcare professionals use every day – to gather information, establish the problem/diagnosis, discuss options, and agree on an action plan. "The great enemy of communication, we find, is the illusion of it." - William H WhyteĪrguably, the fundamental skills in any healthcare consultation are communication and engagement. Talking about emotional health is an essential part of the diabetes consultation Is the balance right? Consultations are typically more effective when the person with diabetes talks more than the health professional. ![]()
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