My Diabetes Coach

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra

The pandemic of diabetes is here! Worldwide, healthcare professionals are in short supply and health consultations are becoming an increasingly scarce and valuable resource. All great outcomes start with a great plan.

Tips to help you to obtain the most value from each contact with your diabetes team:

Start by reframing your view of diabetes – The focus of good diabetes care is prevention – thus, ‘emergencies’ in diabetes, whilst possible, should be very rare.

Don’t you take your car for regular services to keep it in tip-top order? Do the same for your health! So, see your diabetes team when you are healthy and not when you are sick from poorly controlled diabetes or its potential long-term complications. Make an appointment… in advance… and keep it!

Next, plan for the easy, ‘shopping list’ stuff…

  • Aim to arrive at your Diabetes Centre at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to fill in any forms and do blood tests as necessary.
  • When seeing your doctor, dietician, diabetes educator, podiatrist or other team member, please bring the following:
    • The results of any recent laboratory tests
    • Reports or letters of referral or from other healthcare providers
    • A list of the names and dosages of all current prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements and herbal remedies
    • Your current Insulin delivery device (pen & needle, syringe, pump – as / if applicable)
    • Your blood glucose meter, lancing device and current container of test strips
    • Your blood glucose diary with your food intake and activities for the week prior to your visit
    • Pairs of your most commonly worn shoes – they need to be examined in addition to your feet
    • A written list of any ‘burning’ questions you may have in case you forget them
    • Last but not least, a great attitude. Your team can only help you if you want and allow them to!

In time, you will also need to pay attention to learn and develop very powerful personal ‘tools’ that will assist you to extract the maximum value out of your life and to engage in more meaningful conversations with your diabetes team. It might take some effort, but it will be worth it. I will cover these important topics in future blogs:

  • Tool 1: Reflection – looking into the ‘mirror’ of your life and learning from what you see
  • Tool 2: Self-Awareness – being consciously aware of who you are and who you project to the world and why.
  • Tool 3: Insight – A deeper knowledge that allows you to ‘see’ and make the right decisions
  • Tool 4: Self-discipline – The ability to exert willpower over a desire to do or not do something
  • Tool 5: Mindfulness – Actively paying attention to your present experience

By planning, you will find that your diabetes will become less of a burden – you can get on with the business of living at which you only have one shot. Your health, your family and your diabetes team will thank you!

Connect with me on Direct Health (now called Direct Health) if you are in need of a Diabetes coach to help guide you. Use my code: BROWN to receive your first consultation with me for free!

Michael Brown

Diabetes Coach