Apologies for the length of the post, but an example of very mixed experience on being diagnosed.
Diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes officially confirmed today! The diagnosis process was not smooth. Attended doc for a medical (needed for a forthcoming trip) and blood sugars raised. At that time GP did not discuss the actual result, but rather the need for further tests - a second fasting blood test and the HbA1. When I tried to take the conversation further the GP refused to discuss on a "what if" basis - so far so good. Rather than a further appointment to discuss the results we arranged a telephone consultation. From here it goes off-track. Week later got a call from the surgery, no message, picked up from caller ID. Returned the call to speak to GP, to be told by the receptionist that I was diabetic and that she was calling to arrange appointments! When I took up with her this method of notifying me of a serious condition, she would not discuss, but more surprisingly refused to put me through to my GP. Via the post I then received a compliment slip confirming the diagnosis, plus follow-up appointments (2 months later) with diabetic nurse, followed by diabetic doctor (signed by receptionist only).
With a science & pharmacology background, & friends who are doctors, I started my own research. Came across this site & registered - brill. Accessed technical & research papers via medical contacts. Gained access to members of the BMA & Royal Society of GPs via contacts, their feedback was that this was no way to deal with a newly diagnosed patient. Once again via medical professional friends I was put in touch with senior medical research professionals; all this enabled me to collect lots of knowledge, new thinking, research etc, and answers to many questions regarding the condition (although not me specifically) plus how & where to obtain past research studies. This has all helped as I am on a major trajectory towards a better understanding and therefore less worry & stress.
The diabetic nurse today was brill, intelligently discussing my questions and confirming/correcting understanding. The disappointment was the doctor attached to the diabetic clinic. The treatment and explanations were incomplete and lack substance, I was also surprised at the lack of technical explanation or ability to answer some of my tech questions: eg. the pathways were for vascular degeneration, use of statins, causation of increase risk in heart attack/strokes etc. Lots of stats., that's what the advice is, "if it were me......", but no real technical explanations.
The entire process has been frustrating and left me with a serious lack of confidence with the senior part of the health care team responsible for the care and management of my condition; why should I have to rely on the grace & favour of contacts?
Am I just unlucky, are my expectations too high?
Diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes officially confirmed today! The diagnosis process was not smooth. Attended doc for a medical (needed for a forthcoming trip) and blood sugars raised. At that time GP did not discuss the actual result, but rather the need for further tests - a second fasting blood test and the HbA1. When I tried to take the conversation further the GP refused to discuss on a "what if" basis - so far so good. Rather than a further appointment to discuss the results we arranged a telephone consultation. From here it goes off-track. Week later got a call from the surgery, no message, picked up from caller ID. Returned the call to speak to GP, to be told by the receptionist that I was diabetic and that she was calling to arrange appointments! When I took up with her this method of notifying me of a serious condition, she would not discuss, but more surprisingly refused to put me through to my GP. Via the post I then received a compliment slip confirming the diagnosis, plus follow-up appointments (2 months later) with diabetic nurse, followed by diabetic doctor (signed by receptionist only).
With a science & pharmacology background, & friends who are doctors, I started my own research. Came across this site & registered - brill. Accessed technical & research papers via medical contacts. Gained access to members of the BMA & Royal Society of GPs via contacts, their feedback was that this was no way to deal with a newly diagnosed patient. Once again via medical professional friends I was put in touch with senior medical research professionals; all this enabled me to collect lots of knowledge, new thinking, research etc, and answers to many questions regarding the condition (although not me specifically) plus how & where to obtain past research studies. This has all helped as I am on a major trajectory towards a better understanding and therefore less worry & stress.
The diabetic nurse today was brill, intelligently discussing my questions and confirming/correcting understanding. The disappointment was the doctor attached to the diabetic clinic. The treatment and explanations were incomplete and lack substance, I was also surprised at the lack of technical explanation or ability to answer some of my tech questions: eg. the pathways were for vascular degeneration, use of statins, causation of increase risk in heart attack/strokes etc. Lots of stats., that's what the advice is, "if it were me......", but no real technical explanations.
The entire process has been frustrating and left me with a serious lack of confidence with the senior part of the health care team responsible for the care and management of my condition; why should I have to rely on the grace & favour of contacts?
Am I just unlucky, are my expectations too high?