New Approach to Treating Diabetes

The Center for Disease Control  and Prevention (CDC) estimates the cost of diabetes to be over $174 billion annually for the United States alone.  The CDC also estimate that, “about 24 million Americans have diabetes, and one-quarter of them do not know they have it”.

We understand that managing diabetes is a challenge because effective treatment is influenced by the patient’s lifestyle and personal choices.

And, while doctors have an important role in treating diabetes, the patient’s role is equally important and  true doctor/patient partnerships have been shown to produce the best results for the patient.

Patient Self-Management –  A New Approach

• Research has shown that patients can develop effective skills for managing their diabetes  have better quality of life and better health.

• These skills are called patient self-management skills and include the development of a Shared Care Plan between the patient and the primary care practice as a method and process for helping the patient develop self-management skills.

• Motivational interviewing is the technique the staff uses to help the patient develop their shared care plan.

• Knowledge management is the process the practice uses to help the patient develop their shared care plan.