Beyond Glucose: Time to Focus on the Patient Journey
Feb 23, 2024, 10:14 AM
By Kellie Antinori-Lent, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES
This month, the Endocrine Society published a new position statement (read the press release). It is different from most position statements. Instead of focusing on glucose management, it focuses on the journey, the up-close and personal experience of someone living with diabetes. There is quite a bit to unpack along this journey which highlights the importance of recognizing what patients living with diabetes endure. After a comprehensive literature search, review of the articles, and multiple round-table discussions, nine gaps in learner knowledge and competence were identified.
These areas include the importance of patient-provider communication, the psychosocial impact of diabetes, diabetes self-management and support, navigating therapeutic options, overcoming therapeutic inertia, reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and microvascular complications, prevention and management of hypoglycemia, the use of telehealth visits, and integrating technology into diabetes management. The position statement includes a section on each gap that begins with a clinical scenario to introduce the barriers and challenges patients experience. A framework to address these problems follows along with available tools that can equip health care providers in clinical practice.
The title, Prioritizing Patient Experiences in the Management of Diabetes and Its Complications: An Endocrine Society Position Statement, identifies the focus of the article. The statement boldly embraces the relationship between the care provider and the person with a life-long condition. It also explains the power of our time, our willingness to listen and our attention to detail on every patient encounter.
The multi-stakeholder workgroup behind the collaboration includes thought-leaders from various organizations including the American Diabetes Association, American College of Cardiology, Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), American College of Physicians, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC), Diabetes Sisters, diatribe, Diabetes Technology Society, and the Endocrine Society. Several of the authors live with diabetes. This elevated the discussions and enriched the consensus statement. The article is to be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).