Bringing the assessment and treatment of diabetes distress into the real world of clinical care: Time for a shift in perspective

Authors: Lawrence Fisher, Susan Guzman, William Polonsky, Danielle Hessler

Abstract

Aims: Diabetes distress (DD) refers to the emotional and behavioural challenges associated with managing this demanding chronic disease over time. DD is alarmingly common and it has a significant impact on self-management behaviours and clinical outcomes. Thus, there is growing recognition that DD is a pressing problem that deserves careful attention in clinical care. Translating the application of validated DD assessment and intervention protocols from the research to the clinical setting, however, presents challenges that require a reconsideration of some common assumptions about what DD is, how prevalent it is, how it presents itself clinically, how it might best be assessed and by whom.

Methods: We employed data from six large-scale studies using five common DD measures. Using these data, we review and challenge several common assumptions about DD.

Results: These data suggest that, because of its relative ubiquity, DD should not be viewed as a ‘co-morbidity’ or ‘complication’ of diabetes and it should not be seen as a mental health/illness ‘condition’. Furthermore, we argue that DD assessment should: (1) be accepted as a standard part of comprehensive diabetes care, (2) occur regularly using broad rather than brief screening measures and (3) be addressed directly by diabetes clinicians, rather than exclusively by behavioural specialists.

Conclusions: The results form the basis of a series of suggestions to enhance the translation, adoption and implementation of DD knowledge derived from the research setting directly into the real world of clinical care.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39393003/

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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: