Role of educating healthcare professionals in reducing stigma faced by people living with diabetes
New report looks at how to deliver “better outcomes in diabetes and improve the confidence of individuals living with diabetes in their healthcare teams”.
A new report calls for “wider understanding” among healthcare professionals on the complicated matter of stigma around diabetes, when communicating with patients.
The report Changing the Narrative: Confronting Diabetes-Related Stigma in Healthcare by Dr Mayank Patel, Consultant Physician in Diabetes at University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust and member of the DRWF Editorial Advisory Board, was recently published in The British Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Dr Patel said: “Wider healthcare professional understanding and appreciation of the impact of stigma in diabetes care could do much to help individuals with diabetes feel supported and understood and not judged.
“More constructive, person-centred dialogue offered by healthcare professionals, such as avoiding using the threat of developing diabetes complications to drive individual behaviour change has the potential to contribute to better outcomes in diabetes and improve the confidence of individuals living with diabetes in their healthcare teams.”
Dr Patel is the author of the DRWF diabetes information leaflets What is diabetes? and Diabetes management when you are ill and recently presented on the subject of diabetes and stigma at an event organised by DRWF with the Royal Society of Medicine.
In a recent podcast interview with DRWF, Dr Patel said: “From the perspective of diabetes stigma, having spoken to my own patients and having heard stories from yourself and other colleagues about the impact of receiving stigma type behaviour. It can be quite an exhausting business. People are already working very hard to live a life with diabetes, which involves lots of additional attention, and can be quite overwhelming and tiring for some.”
In the report, Dr Patel said: “Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that are directed at individuals based on perceived differences, such as living with diabetes. Stigma is commonly experienced by those with diabetes. Stigmatisation often originates from healthcare professionals who may be unaware of the consequence of their judgemental attitudes on patients and on how personally challenging living with diabetes can be.
“A lack of empathy from healthcare professionals can risk individuals choosing not to manage their diabetes as advised or even seek support. Harmful comments may also evoke feelings of guilt or shame in individuals, which can further affect their mental wellbeing and ability to self-care appropriately.”
The report highlights that around 80% of people living with diabetes have experienced stigma associated with the condition.
Dr Patel said: “Through challenging their biases, by prioritising compassionate communication skills, healthcare professionals are well placed to offer and support a more constructive, collaborative wider narrative around diabetes. People feeling supported and understood are more likely to engage with their diabetes care, leading to better outcomes for them and the wider healthcare system.”
Read the report in The British Journal of Hospital Medicine
Read Diabetes and stigma – “It can be quite exhausting” – an interview with Dr Mayank Patel part of the DRWF Living with Diabetes podcast series
I would like to make a regular donation of
I would like to make a single donation of
There are lots of ways to raise money to support
people living with all forms of diabetes.
Bake, Swim, Cycle, Fly ... Do It For DRWF!
Fundraise with us
Recent News
