Addressing diabetes distress in clinical care: a practical guide

Authors: Fisher L, Polonsky WH, Hessler D

Abstract

Addressing the emotional side of diabetes and its management has received considerable attention in recent years. At the centre of most of these efforts is the concept of ‘diabetes distress’, a generic term that captures the primary sources and intensity of emotional distress associated with diabetes and its management over time. As interest in diabetes distress has grown, however, it has been difficult to integrate and translate the various strands of clinical research in a manner that can guide diabetes distress intervention efforts in the real world of clinical care. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by outlining practical strategies for intervention in clinical settings and to assist diabetes healthcare professionals in thinking through how diabetes distress might be addressed practically in their clinics. To address these goals, this review is divided into five sections: a definition of diabetes distress, ways diabetes distress can be assessed and monitored, information about diabetes distress for use in intervention planning, topics to be considered for inclusion in diabetes distress interventions, and alternatives for where in the care process a diabetes distress intervention might be considered. We focus on diabetes distress experienced by adults with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30985025/

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BDI Monthly Events

June 11Case Consultation
BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.
June 20-23ADA 85th Scientific Sessions
It will be a busy time for BDI staff at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL). Exciting new study results to be presented, new projects to be discussed, and old friends to see.
June 21Above the Bias Panel
At the Abbott Diabetes Care booth at this years ADA Scientific Sessions in Chicago Il, Dr. Guzman, BDI Director of Clinical Education, will be moderating the panel discussion, Above the Bias.
June 22Using CGM in Diabetes Self-Care
At the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL), Dr. Polonsky, BDI President, will be speaking on Tell Me Why—Using CGM to Drive Changes in Diabetes Self-Care. He also serves a co-author on six poster presentations on that day:
June 23EMBARK
At the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL), Dr. Fisher, BDI Research Director, will present Reducing Diabetes Distress Leads to Positive Glycemic Change—Results from the EMBARK Trial
August 8-10TCOYD ONE
August 8 – 10. Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) will be hosting the in-person ONE event, an amazing weekend experience here in San Diego for more than 500 people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. Dr. Polonsky is honored to be one of the presenters, and we will hope to see many of you there. There are still a few spaces left, so if you’d like to know more, please visit: