Overcoming psychological insulin resistance: A practical guide for healthcare professionals

Authors: Frank J Snoek, Lawrence Fisher, William H Polonsky, Heather Stuckey, Danielle Hessler, Tricia Tang, Norbert Hermanns, Xavier Mundet, Maria Silva, Jackie Sturt, Kentaro Okazaki, Irene Hadjiyianni, Urvi Desai, Magaly Perez-Nieves

Abstract

Despite the demonstrated benefits of using insulin, nearly a third of the patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are initially reluctant to initiate insulin therapy when it is first recommended by their healthcare provider (HCP). Several studies have documented the reasons for this phenomenon known as psychological insulin resistance (PIR) and also identified actionable strategies for HCPs to assist people with T2D to overcome their PIR. However, most strategies are based on the experiences of HCPs, rather than of patients. Based on findings from a study exploring real-world patient experience around HCP actions for mitigating PIR, we suggest that HCPs use collaborative strategies throughout the course of T2D treatment to 1) explore reasons for PIR, 2) help patients overcome PIR, and 3) follow-up regarding experience with insulin.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33785288/

Share the Post:

BDI Monthly Events

September 10Case Consultation
September 10: 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.
September 14T1D Meet-up
September 14: Time for another T1D meet-up! GrownupT1Ds, a wonderful nonprofit here in southern California, which organizes fun social events for adults with type 1 diabetes here in southern California. This next one will be at 2 pm at Altar Society Brewing & Coffee Co, 230 Pine Ave, Long Beach. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP at www.grownupt1ds.org
September 27Scripps Presentation
September 27: Dr. Polonsky (BDI President), will be presenting The Power of Psych at Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute’s 2025 Updates in Diabetes Management, in La Jolla (CA). See: https://www.scripps.org/events/2025-updates-in-diabetes-management-september-27-2025