Don’t Stop: Encouraging Patient Success

Jun 19, 2018
2,870 views

Remembering the basics can be the key to patient success.

When prescribed lifestyle changes and or medication(s), patients who have diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or any chronic condition that is easy to monitor, even from home, may agree to these changes at first. They can almost immediately get improvements in their numbers. It can be encouraging. For some, seeing those numbers change for the better encourages them to keep on keeping on. However, others may think they are healed and stop treatment. Their numbers may go back to the same or even “worse” than before the treatment.

Lessons Learned:

From the beginning, when providing education and management, teach patients that this is not a “one time” treatment. Warn them if they go back to their old ways, their old “health problems” will usually return.
When following up, revisit lifestyle, meds, etc. If the patient has stopped treatment, ask “Why?” Not everyone has the same why’s.
Often, it’s not the what. A lot of patients know what to do; many don’t know why they do or do not do it and many do. We should give them that opportunity to think about it and let us know. If given that opportunity, they will usually be able to answer that question.
Work with the why’s. What’s the why and how can we can work together with the patient to help individualize that person’s care? One size does not fit all!

Joy Pape, FNP-C, CDE

Medical Editor, Diabetes in Control

Help! Tell Us How To Avoid Disasters Using CGM

Many of you have and have not had experience with the Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) now available.

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Thank you!

Joy Pape, FNP-C, CDE
Medical Editor
Diabetes In Control

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