Diabetes 123 Provides Real World Information for Medical Professionals

 

I was in attendance at the dinner celebration for diabetes 123.  It was quite a sight to see. 700 people about 300 kids. I sat at a table with an 11-year-old young lady who without a second thought pulled out her monitor and checked her glucose; her friend sitting next, never even paid any mind when she stuck herself. It was then I looked around the room and saw the same thing happening at many other tables. It was quite moving to see all these young and not so young children be able to check their glucose, and inject insulin without having to go in a corner or worry about others make fun of them.  This is when I realized just how important this conference was. We often see these kids in our offices and help them, in fact many of us get to know our patients very well but we rarely get to see them outside of the practice. It was so refreshing to be able to enjoy the positive attitude that was prevalent. It was very exciting to hear these kids and young adults talking to each other, sharing stories and tips. In fact if you didn't know any better you would think it was fun to have diabetes. However when the Glucagon Kit fell out of her bag I knew it was not fun, this was just a brief interlude in a 24/7 Lifestyle.

 Dr Mike Bliss gave us a great overview of the discovery of insulin and how patients were treated before and after the discovery. It served to make me realize how lucky we are to have the technology to help patients with diabetes live normal lives.

 We finished the evening with a great performance by the pump girls. These 4 pump wearing performers proved that you could do anything you want "even" if you have diabetes.

 I had the opportunity to interview many of the attendees and would like to share their comments. My main focus was what would you like your educator or medical professional to do better.

 Some of the comments follow, but the general concencious was, that we as medical professionals should speak on our patient’ level, give them the latest information and keep helping them reach better goals.

 BR of Toledo, Ohio –Our 4 year old was diagnosed in November of 2000, we felt that they were not given enough new information as our knowledge base grew. We were originally educated and started with 2 shots a day and to eat to match insulin. We learned about sliding scale use for food intake while we were here and wondered why their doctor or educator had never discussed it.

 AS from Santa Fe NM—We had a new pharmacy open in the town and the pharmacist was very knowledgeable and was a big benefit. They now call him for diabetes related questions. They wish their other pharmacist had been that good. They added, we had a 1 yr pump party for our daughter and invited the pharmacist and her educator and they both showed up.

 Rachel 15, and her mom from San Jose CA. – We work with an endocrinologist who has been very helpful with the pump, but wishes they would have been taught more about how to avoid the lows, especially during exercise. Will be glad to have glucowatch to help avoid lows. Her dad added that the educators and doctors should talk to the patients and parents on their level. He states “Just because we don’t understand medical language all the time we are not stupid, we have to live everyday with this disease.”

 Heather, 11 and her mom from Clarkston, MI – I have had diabetes for 6 months and I learned how to carb count and use sliding scale from my mom because my original diet was not enough and I was losing weight from all my activity. Mom added  “we learned things here that we were never told that could have made us more aggressive in her care. Our doctor and nurse need to constantly give us more information and teach us better management. In addition they need to show me what is the most advanced things. Need the latest in information also. Need to use the most current information, the cutting edge of everything”

Nick B, 10 and his dad from New York. They did not ask me if I understood the things they were explaining to me and treated me like a little kid. His dad added, they sometimes talk to you like you’re not smart enough to understand them. Why can’t they find out how much you do understand before they talk down to you?

 Zach U and his dad, Jeff, from Boca Raton Fl.- We have had pretty good experience with most of our medical professionals. Sometimes it seems that they will answer the question without making sure it’s the right answer. We had some Humalog freeze and it took 4 calls before someone was willing to check the literature to see if the insulin was any good. 3 out of the 4 told us it was okay to let it thaw out and use it. 

 Diane over 30 yrs young from Clarkston MI—I have had diabetes for a while and I think that the professionals need to take more time with us. In my beginning years, I felt like I was rushed in and out and told what to do, without an explanation. I realized you have to take control of it yourself, and push your doctors and educator, make them let you ask more questions and give you the latest thing. Be willing to make the changes to help you. It has gotten much better for the kids but they tend to rush with the adults.

 Next week we will feature a seminar on type 1 diabetes and the teenage years. This was presented by Dr. Richard Rubin and Dr. Francine Kaufman