Living with diabetes is like a journey, and the diabetes specialist is the guide whose can connect the patient to the tools of treatment and support the patient’s needs to stay healthy.
When Christel Marchand Aprigliano, vice president of the Advocacy Coalition for People with Diabetes, visits a doctor, she notices his body language. Arms crossed, eyes averted, hands on the doorknob? All of these signs indicate that he or she is not fully engaged in this conversation.
A good meeting can be a spring in the step. “When doctors talk to you, they look you in the eye and will explain disease treatment from a layperson’s point of view. They will assess how well you understand health care,” says Aprigliano, 45, of Tampa, Fla. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12 and currently runs a blog about it.
People look for a doctor who understands diabetes well and treats similar patients. For example, if one has type 1 diabetes and uses a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, one would prefer to find a doctor who is familiar with the equipment. Some endocrinologists specialize primarily in the treatment of thyroid disease.
It’s also important to trust your gut. A doctor who makes himself ashamed of his weight or feels guilty about his blood glucose levels does not see his patients as collaborators. Hope Warshaw, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator in Alexandria, Virginia, says doctors should try to solve problems through shared decision-making. They should say, ‘Here’s our plan, how do you think we can do better?'”
In addition to the physical exam, doctors refer patients to a diabetes educator, who helps patients stick to their goals. The doctor may also refer the patient to another specialist, such as a podiatrist or ophthalmologist.
Of course, patients are also responsible for their own disease. They should bring a glucometer or glucose log, a list of questions, and a list of needed prescriptions to each visit. “We have a responsibility to strengthen our ties with each other,” Aprigliano said.
Questions to ask during a visit:
- What information should I provide?
- What information should I provide?
- Can we discuss the results if we complete lab tests before the visit?
- What options are available for my treatment?
- Where can I get diabetes education?
- Where can I get diabetes education and peer support?