Publications

BDI along with colleagues in the field of diabetes health and mental well being are continuously working on research projects to further improve the lives of people living with diabetes worldwide.

Semaglutide improves health-related quality of life versus placebo when added to standard of care in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk (SUSTAIN 6)

Authors: Esteban Jódar, Marie Michelsen, William Polonsky, Rosangela Réa, Anna Sandberg, Tina Vilsbøll, Mark Warren, Signe Harring, Uwe Ziegler, Stephen Bain Abstract Aim: To assess what drives change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in type 2 diabetes in the SUSTAIN 6 trial and identify potential mediators of the treatment effect of semaglutide on HRQoL scores. Materials and methods: The

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Psychosocial aspects and contributions of behavioural science to medication-taking for adults with type 2 diabetes

Authors: Winkley K, Upsher R, Polonsky WH, Holmes-Truscott E. Abstract The aim of this narrative review was to determine the contribution of behavioural and psychosocial research to the field of medication-taking for adults with type 2 diabetes over the past 25 years. We review the behavioural and psychosocial literature relevant to adults with type 2 diabetes who are treated with

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Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes Technology: Adult Perspective

Author: William H Polonsky Abstract The success of diabetes technologies depends on the attitudes and behavior of the individuals who choose to adopt them. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, and sensor-augmented pump systems may positively affect diabetes-related quality of life (QOL), although the influence on QOL outcomes seems to be modest and the results from randomized controlled

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A Behavioral Perspective of Therapeutic Inertia: A Look at the Transition to Insulin Therapy

Author: Guzman, SJ. From a behavioral perspective, therapeutic inertia can happen when obstacles to changing a diabetes treatment plan outweigh perceived benefits. There is a complex interaction of important treatment-related obstacles for people with diabetes (PWD), their treating health care professional (HCP), and the clinical setting in which they interact. Tipping the scales toward more effective action involve strategies that

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When patient-reported experience does not match change in clinical outcomes: A perplexing view from the inside of a diabetes distress intervention

Authors: Lawrence Fisher, William Polonsky, Vicky Bowyer, Danielle Hessler Abstract Aims: To assess between-group differences in participant experiences in a two-arm diabetes distress (DD) reduction RCT and to determine their relationship to clinical outcomes (reductions in DD and HbA1C). Methods: For high DD adults with Type 1 diabetes and HbA1c ≥7.5% participating in T1-REDEEM, we evaluated post intervention 5-point ratings

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Key factors for overcoming psychological insulin resistance: an examination of patient perspectives through content analysis

Authors: Heather Stuckey, Lawrence Fisher, William H Polonsky, Danielle Hessler, Frank J Snoek, Tricia S Tang, Norbert Hermanns, Xavier Mundet-Tuduri, Maria Elizabeth Rossi da Silva, Jackie Sturt, Kentaro Okazaki, Dachuang Cao, Irene Hadjiyianni, Jasmina I Ivanova, Urvi Desai, Magaly Perez-Nieves. Abstract Objective: To understand participant perceptions about insulin and identify key behaviors of healthcare professionals (HCPs) that motivated initially reluctant

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Hypoglycemic Confidence in the Partners of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Authors: Polonsky WH, Fortmann AL, Johnson KE, Nguyen A, Beebe C. Abstract Background: Hypoglycemic confidence (HC) represents the degree to which an individual feels secure regarding his or her ability to stay safe from hypoglycemia-related problems. Self-report scales assessing HC in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have found that greater HC is associated with better glycemic control and that

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Optimizing Postprandial Glucose Management in Adults With Insulin-Requiring Diabetes: Report and Recommendations

Authors: Leahy JJL, Aleppo G, Fonseca VA, Garg SK, Hirsch IB, McCall AL, McGill JB, Polonsky WH. Abstract Faster-acting insulins, new noninsulin drug classes, more flexible insulin-delivery systems, and improved continuous glucose monitoring devices offer unprecedented opportunities to improve postprandial glucose (PPG) management and overall care for adults with insulin-treated diabetes. These developments led the Endocrine Society to convene a

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Economic costs of implementing group interventions to reduce diabetes distress in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus in the T1-REDEEM trial

Authors: Shumway M, Fisher L, Hessler D, Bowyer V, Polonsky WH, Masharani U. Abstract Aims: This study evaluated the implementation costs of two group interventions, one focused on diabetes education (KnowIt) and one focused directly on diabetes distress (OnTrack), that reduced diabetes distress and HbA1C in adults with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in the T1-REDEEM trial. Methods: Resources

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There is value in treating elevated levels of diabetes distress: the clinical impact of targeted interventions in adults with Type 1 diabetes

Authors: Hessler D, Fisher L, Polonsky W, Strycker L, Parra J, Bowyer V, Dedhia M, Masharani U. Abstract Aim: To compare the effect of targeted interventions to reduce high diabetes distress among adults with Type 1 diabetes with a comparison sample of similar but untreated individuals, and to document the stability of untreated diabetes distress over time. Methods: A total

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BDI Monthly Events

June 5-8
June 5-8ADA Scientific Sessions
June 5 - 8: It will be a busy time at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (New Orleans, LA), with new projects to be developed, old friends to see, and much to learn. Dr. Polonsky, BDI President, will serve a co-author on four poster presentations
June 10
June 10Case Consultation
May 13: 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.
August 14-16
August 14-16ONE 2026
August 14 - 16. 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
October 24
October 24CME Workshop
On October 24, BDI will host a live, one-day, CME workshop: Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes. Run by Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) and Dr. Guzman (BDI Clinic Director), Participants will deepen their skills in recognizing and addressing common barriers to effective self-care and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.

Publications

BDI along with colleagues in the field of diabetes health and mental well being are continuously working on research projects

Read More