Hi
@Major Buckmaster, over the 52 years on insulin I could say that doctors that I have met and treated me have cover the range.
But my first GP diagnosed me at age 13. I was told by my specialist few GPs may have been as astute. Dr S offered me excellent care until I had to (reluctantly) move way.
My first specialist was very open minded and ahead of his time (talking about 19966 edit --> 1966) and onwards). Before I was discharged from hospital he invited my parents around to his home and over a meal discussed my diabetes, injections, diet etc. He also spent time with me on hospital visits to answer questions.
With University I came across a range of hospital doctors at the Diabetes clinic in the major hospital next door. The nurse were very supportive but some doctors were arrogant and basically used fear of complications to frighten people into following the diet and insulin regimes ( and remembering that glucose meters only became available to the public in 1980 or so (in Australia at least). Yet other doctors there were more progressive, welcoming. Some of the first research about the differences in absorption rates of insulin between various parts of the body was performed there.
Australia of course has some differences in its healthcare system compared to UK and more private GPs and specialist abound here (I think ). That makes for perhaps more ability to choose who one's GP and specialists are.
I have friends and acquaintances who seem to have got a very raw deal from their GP or specialist about their diabetes treatment.
Others much less so.
And we have to remember that doctors, particularly GPs, the expansion of medical knowledge and technology and the increasing bureaucracy can affect their ability to 'be all things to all people'.
But a GP and specialist that are interested in you as a person, who listen to you and not just use 'cookbook' medicine are gems to be revered. If one shares a similar sense of humour or appreciates each other's humour so much the better.
