Ten Good Reasons: The Language of Diabetes
Those with diabetes will spend from 90 mins to 2 hours every day managing their condition... that’s 45 days a year. When it comes to an annual or periodic review, 20 minutes is all you are likely to get... let's make it worth it...
Jason Donovan released his debut album in 1989... titled '10 Good Reasons'... the suggestion of there being ten compelling reasons for doing something... possibly love, dedication or personal choices.
Those with diabetes will spend from 90 mins to 2 hours every day managing their condition... that’s 45 days a year.
When it comes to an annual or periodic review, 20 minutes is all you are likely to get... let's make it worth it...
When you are diagnosed, you immediately have four new friends:
- General practitioner (GP) hi
- Pharmacist
- Diabetes consultant
- Health care providers
They have one thing in common... they are like scientists... who make value judgements relentlessly in their clinics.
I like to use the acronym MACK.
M... Measurement
A... Analysis
C... Conclusion
K... Knowledge
These measurements being from a blood and urine sample... the knowledge output is explained in a conversation where the language is crucial to patient understanding.
It is then up to the patient to turn this knowledge into successful experience... whilst living the authentic life they were destined to become.
Conversation isn't so simple... on both sides of the table... for 10 good reasons:-
-
Clever vs Kind
Taylor Swift's song Marjorie is devoted to her grandmother, reflecting on a little advice she gave her
'Never be so kind, you forget to be clever
Never be so clever you forget to be kind'.
Diabetes is all about balance... on so many levels... lifelong learning through education and experience can be exhausting.
-
Consultation and agreement
Periodic reviews utilising the MACK* principle... is designed to achieve three desirable outcomes
- build trust,
- instill confidence
- inspire & motivate the individual
to achieve a mutually agreed achievable goal.
A health care practitioner will be looking to achieve this outcome with up to 20 patients or more in every clinic... each person will have their own diabetes story to tell.
-
Lifestyle
Rachel Connor, Head of Research, Breakthrough T1D
'Those with diabetes are doing the job of a biological organ, all by themselves, with imperfect tools'.
-
Literacy... written and numeric
The language of diabetes demands a certain level of literacy skills... with due consideration to the capabilities of each individual.
43% of adults struggle with information that is in written format
61% struggle when it's is written and with numbers.
Many people will not be communicating in their native language.
-
Positivity
'People will forget what you said, will forget what you did. However people will never forget how you made them feel' - Maya Angelo.
-
Pressure
Chris Askew former CEO of Diabetes UK
'Of all the long term health conditions, diabetes puts the individual under the most pressure... this isn't generally recognised'.
Someone with diabetes is likely to make an additional 200 personal decisions every day.
-
Psychological
Diabetes is the eternal struggle between acceptance and denial... which can bring tension, fear, frustrating and social withdrawal.
-
Sensory Loss
Deafness and hearing loss affects one fifth of the global population, equating to over 1.5 billion people (WHO 2024).
By the middle of this century, over 700 million people will have disabling hearing impairment (WHO 2024).
The risk of hearing impairment increases with age... the majority (80%) are people aged 70 and over, and more than half of all adults aged 55 or over, have some form of hearing impairment (RNID 2024).
-
Stigma
The Diabetes UK campaign #ifyouknew highlights that stigma that can profoundly affect those with diabetes.
90% of those with diabetes have experienced stigma.
50% have missed an appointment because of previous judgemental comments that have made them feel ashamed or embarrassed.
-
Uniqueness
Colette Marshall. CEO Diabetes UK... in 'Reverse the Trend'
'What people need is tailored support, that recognises the unique differences in managing diabetes'.
Finalé … Tolerant vs Zero Tolerance
The UK NHS may not be alone in having a 'zero tolerance policy'... against violence, abuse, and aggression against staff, patients and visitors... to ensure staff can care for patients without fear.
Meanwhile at the Premier Inn Hotel:
'Here at Premier Inn, the most important thing for us is keeping our guests and team members safe.
We're proud to welcome everyone through our hotel doors and we celebrate difference in all the communities we serve, inclusive of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and disability
It's our mission to ensure everyone can rest easy which means feeling safe, secure, and relaxed, and treating each other with respect and kindness.
Premier Inn is for everyone, but we all need to do our bit by being considerate and kind towards one another'.
Final Thought
The Exchange Principle - Edmond Locard
'Every interaction leaves a trace' .., that's why our language really matters.
