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BMJ op-ed addresses language used by healthcare professionals to people with diabetes

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The way healthcare professionals talk to their patients who have diabetes needs to change, according to a new op-ed. Judith Hendley, Head of Patient Safety Policy at NHS Improvement, has had type 1 diabetes for 11 years and says the way she is spoken to about her condition is important. Hendley's op-ed titled 'Are you well controlled?' has been published in The BMJand addresses the problems with some of the language used by healthcare professionals. "It troubles me to be referred to as a 'diabetic' or for people with diabetes in general to be called 'diabetics'. Although this does not bother everyone, I feel this reduces me to being someone with diabetes and nothing more," said Hendley. Hendley says that she has always been interested in the meaning and interpretation of words and language, and the "language used by healthcare professionals, the media, and others can make a big difference to how I feel about having a long term condition." She said, "For example, l can be asked, 'Do you suffer from diabetes?' This makes me feel as though the person asking the question perhaps perceives me as the passive victim of my condition. It is hard to be passive with diabetes, and I 'suffer' far more when I have a cold. (It might be better just to ask - ‘Do you have diabetes?&#146" One of Hendley's bugbears is being asked if she is 'well controlled?’, wittily counterpointing the question by adding, "Whenever I'm asked the 'control' question, a part of me wants to reply, 'No, in fact you just can’t take me anywhere.'" Hendley insists that she is supported by fantastic NHS diabetes specialists who understand that diabetes isn't the only thing happening in her life. But she adds that some doctors and nurses who are less experienced in diabetes can sometimes struggle to find the right language. "I'd prefer to be asked questions like, 'How are things going with your diabetes?', 'Are you having any difficulties with your blood sugar at the moment?', or 'Is there anything that you're finding particularly challenging?'" Hendley concluded: "It may seem overly precious to be so concerned about language in the overall scheme of things. However, as a healthcare professional, reflecting on and reframing the language you use while still making sure you get the information you need could make a big difference to how the people in front of you see themselves and their condition - and how they see you."

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Oh for goodness sake! If that's all this woman has to complain about then she should think how lucky she is! It is overly precious to be concerned about language. Just imagine how she would feel if she were told that her type of diabetes was a 'lifestyle' choice! I would like someone to ask me any of the questions she gets asked in any way they like. The only one I get asked by HCPs is 'Would you like to take statins?'
 

I'm with you on this one, 100%. I'm quite into languages, but sheesh.... I'm just glad not to be treated like an ignorant idiot about my conditions, and get some actual, useful help. Then they can call and ask me anything they like...!
 
It did make me giggle a bit reading that article. However it might also depend on the person your seeing, like mine for example at a check up goes along the lines of

DSN Hi how are you?
ME good thanks
DSN how's the sugars?
ME yeah ok things as per
DSN still eating cake?
ME yes
DSN smiles while shaking head
 
Hmmmmmm, in the grand scheme of things it may seem trivial but I actually agree with her. I hate being referred to with sympathetic tones or as a 'diabetic' as if that is all there is to me. I don't like the 'well controlled' phrase either as if the alternative to that is 'you have no control you are clearly useless'. It is all of these seemingly innocuous phrases that add to the general viewpoint that diabetes is somehow your own fault and if only you bothered to control it, you would be fine. I know the average member of the public won't understand but health care professionals should be more aware of how they speak to someone with diabetes (or any condition). I, like many others have seen healthcare professionals from the DN to Consultants and they mostly talk to you as if you were a little simple and in a condescending manner. I know that they deal with thousands of people but that doesn't mean they should not talk to us as individuals. I went into my last appointment with a DN who never so much as looked up from her screen when she spoke and was busy writing up something from the last person in. I remained silent until she eventually looked up and then said 'I was waiting for you to finish what you were doing'. It is small things like this that make such a difference to people.
 
I think language is important because it can be used in ways that dehumanise patients and / or take power away from patients and give it to the medics
I remember being in hospital having had to have major foot surgery, and one of the surgical consultants bringing his entourage of 5 or 6 juniors to my bedside and announcing “ ....and here we have a diabetic foot”. I sat up as best I could, fixed the consultant with what I hoped was a sweet but steely glare and said “ Hello, I dont think we’ve met before, my names **** and the foot is attached to me, is there anything else you'd like to know?” Some of the juniors were visibly smirking and the whole group rapidly moved on.
I also recall going to a first appointment at the eye hospital. and the doctor starting off immediately with “I see you’re a new diabetic, and telling me how diabetics are more likely to go blind - I smiled sweetly, held my hand out and said “ Hi, my names ****, whats yours?” - his whole approach to me changed and he began to talk to / with me rather than at me
 
I don't care what you call me, just do your best to keep me well.
 


I love it, especially the foot bit. x
 
I just want them to stop dismissing everything as weight related, and patronizing me, and blaming me, even when I am doing better than most of their patients, according to my DN.
 
I say I have Type 1 diabetes or I am a type 1 diabetic.............. and I am going to die a type 1 diabetic ( but not for a long time yet, I hope) as long as I am looked after, listened to and treated with care, then I am happy with that if not, I will challenge and assert my point.
 
When I was that my thyroid had failed my doctor began by saying 'there is something seriously wrong', and I was told that I was 'a very bad diabetic' by the doctor I saw two years ago at diagnosis.
They don't seem to realize just what consternation they cause.
 
I think the thought of someone going to a diabetic clinic and not wanting to be referred to as 'a diabetic' is quite amusing. Sure you are more than just a label but for that 7 minutes of your life you become just that label. It's practical and it's sensible and for 7 minutes a year I am just a diabetic, not a Mum, Gran, wife, forum member etc etc. Really not such a big deal for 7 minutes is it?
 
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