Clinical Diabetes
25:141-143,
2007
DOI: 10.2337/diaclin.25.4.141
© 2007 by the American Diabetes Association
Getting Out Ahead: The Diabetes Concerns Assessment Form
Robert M. Anderson, EdD and
Rebecca Patrias, MD
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Introduction
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There are many challenges facing patients and providers in caring
for diabetes. One challenge that often frustrates both patients and providers
is the pressure on providers to accomplish more in less time. Trying to deal
with all the issues during a 10- or 15-minute visit virtually guarantees that
there will not be adequate time to discuss all the important issues related to
diabetes care. The competing pressures on providers to contain costs and
adhere to evidence-based treatment guidelines further exacerbate this already
difficult situation. In such an environment, reviewing patients'
"numbers" and making appropriate medication adjustments are quite
likely to consume the entire visit.
While this may seem efficient, this type of visit can lead to
dissatisfaction and frustration by both health care professionals and
patients. Health professionals feel frustrated by patients' seeming inability
to manage diabetes effectively. And patients sometimes feel that they are just
a blood glucose number to their provider.
Diabetes care is largely a self-care disease. In fact, people with diabetes
provide > 90% of their own care. To be successful, they need to incorporate
diabetes into their lives. For them, diabetes is about much more than the
numbers. It affects virtually every aspect of their daily lives because of the
number of diabetes-related decisions they need to make. Addressing only the
numbers is a short-sighted view of diabetes and one that is doomed to fail.
The Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes, and Needs
study1 demonstrated
that patients who are more satisfied with their relationship with their
provider have better outcomes. Thus, going beyond the numbers is not just a
nice thing to do; it is part of quality diabetes care. The . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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Methods
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Ending the Visit
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Copyright © 2007 by the American Diabetes Association.
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