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Complete, personalized diabetes care under one roof.™ |
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| Diabetes care can be a full time job. Let us help. |
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Diabetes Health Care Team
To create your diabetes health care team, your primary doctor (internist, family practice doctor, or endocrinologist) will begin by referring you to other health care providers, perhaps located within the same clinic. Or your doctor may work with you to build your diabetes health care team one member at a time, as the need arises. Who are the members of your diabetes healthcare team?
You
You are the most important member of your diabetes health care team. You are the one most affected by diabetes and you have the primary responsibility to care for it every day. You do the exercise. You plan, cook and eat the foods on your meal plan. You take the medicine or inject the insulin. You check your blood sugar (glucose) levels and keep track of the results. And you are the first to notice any problems. Your diabetes healthcare team depends on you to tell them what you notice and how you feel.
Primary Care Physician
Your primary care or family practice doctor is the person you see for general well-checkups, and when you get sick. A doctor with special training (and usually certification) in diseases such as diabetes is called an endocrinologist. If you do not see an endocrinologist, look for a primary doctor, family practice doctor or an internist who has cared for many people with diabetes. Your primary care doctor is likely to be the one who refers you to specialists or other diabetes health care team professionals.
If you are looking for a new primary care doctor, talk at length with him or her about the details of your diabetes, your health and lifestyle. You might ask:
- Do you have special training in diabetes?
- Are most of your patients people with diabetes? Do you see both type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients?
- What tests will you do at regular office visits? How often?
- What days are you not here? Who covers on nights and weekends?
- What are your fees? Do you accept my insurance plan?
- Are you associated with other diabetes care professionals, so I will benefit from a full diabetes health care team?
- Do you refer to an educator or dietitian?
Ask the staff about office management details, such as how long a wait patients usually have. Does the doctor's schedule run on time? Is there a set call-in time when you can talk to the doctor on the phone? What is the billing policy?
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator or diabetes nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with special training and background in caring for and teaching people with diabetes. Many are certified in the field of diabetes. Some may have a master's degree. Nurse educators often help you learn the day-to-day aspects of diabetes self-care, such as:
- what diabetes is
- how to cope with diabetes and make positive changes in your health habits
- how to properly use diabetes medications
- how to work with insulin and give yourself shots
- how to check your blood sugar
- how to keep track of your diabetes
- symptoms of low and high blood glucose
- how to manage an insulin reaction
- how to handle sick days
- how to stay healthy if you are pregnant
Registered Dietician
Be sure to work with an RD who has training and experience with diabetes. A registered dietitian (RD) is trained in nutrition and has passed a national exam. An RD may also have a master's degree or may be a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). If your doctor does not work with a dietitian, ask him to refer you to one. Your dietitian helps you figure out your food needs based on your desired weight, lifestyle, medication, and other health goals (such as lowering blood fat levels or blood pressure). Even if you've had diabetes for many years, a visit to the dietitian can help. Food needs change as we age. Nutritional guidelines for people with diabetes also change.
Eye Doctor
Because diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the eyes, the eye doctor - an ophthalmologist or an optometrist - is an important member of your diabetes healthcare team. American Diabetes Association guidelines state you should see your eye doctor at least once a year. Your eye doctor will check for any changes in your eyes and treat any problems or refer you to another doctor with special training. Be sure your eye doctor is familiar with diagnosing and treating diabetic eye disease and ask questions such as:
- How many of your patients have diabetes?
- Do you perform eye surgery?
- Will you send regular reports to my primary care or diabetes physician?
Emotional Support Professionals
A variety of mental health professionals can support you in managing the personal and emotional side of living with diabetes.
- Social worker: A social worker has a master's degree in social work (MSW) as well as training in individual, group, and family therapy. LCSW stands for licensed clinical social worker, meaning the social worker has passed a state exam. Social workers may be able to help you find resources to help with your medical or financial needs. In addition to a master's degree in social work (MSW), your social worker should have training in individual, group, and family therapy. Some social workers may even be able to help you cope with concerns related to diabetes, including problems within the family and the workplace.
- Clinical psychologist: A clinical psychologist who works directly with patients can have a masters or doctoral degree in psychology and is trained in individual, group, and family psychology. A few sessions with a psychologist might help during a time of special stress. On a long-term basis, a psychologist might help work on more lasting emotional issues associated with diabetes.
- Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication to treat physical causes for emotional problems. Psychiatrists also provide counseling.
- Therapist: Marriage and family therapists can help you with personal problems in family and marital relationships and problems on the job. These therapists should hold a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field and have additional training in individual, family, and marriage therapy.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist is trained to treat problems of the feet and the lower legs. Diabetes makes you prone to poor blood flow and nerve damage in the lower legs. You may get infections more often. Sores, even small ones, can quickly turn into serious problems. Any foot sore or callus needs to checked by your primary care doctor or a podiatrist. Do not try to fix it yourself - this can lead to infections - but do inspect your feet daily for signs of trouble. Podiatrists treat corns, calluses, and more serious problems. Ask your podiatrist:
- How many of your patients have diabetes?
- Are you familiar with the foot problems diabetes can cause?
- Will you work with my primary care doctor if needed?
Dentists
People with diabetes are at somewhat greater risk for gum disease. The excess blood sugar in your mouth makes it a good home for bacteria, which leads to infection. See your dentist every six months. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
Exercise Physiologist
The best person to help you and your doctor plan your fitness program is someone trained in the scientific basis of exercise. Exercise plays a major role in your diabetes care, to help lower blood sugar, help your body better use insulin, and help control your weight. It can also improve your blood fat levels, reduce stress, and improve your overall fitness level.
Let your doctor help you find someone with a master's or doctoral degree in exercise physiology or a licensed health care professional who has graduate training in exercise physiology. Certification from the American College of Sports Medicine means this person has the basic skills needed to plan a safe, effective exercise program. Always get your doctor's approval for starting any exercise program to manage your diabetes.
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