A 16 year old tells you they stopped taking their diabetes medications. “It doesn’t seem to matter whether or not I take them”.
What is the best response?
- Acknowledge their honesty and ask them to discuss with their provider.
- Gently remind them that stopping their meds is dangerous.
- Ask them if they are experiencing trauma at home.
- Explore possible reasons for this action.
Want to learn more about this question?
Join us live on July 11th at 11:30 am PST for our
Language and Diabetes FREE Webinar
What we say matters.
As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes every day.
Intentional communication is a powerful tool that can uncover trauma, identify barriers, and move both the provider and person with diabetes toward a greater understanding of the issues involved.
The language used in the health care setting is immensely important in determining trust, mutual respect, and meaningful long-term relationships.
Topics covered include:
- Learn phrases, words, and approaches that can be left behind.
- Describe diabetes language that is respectful, inclusive, person-centered, and imparts hope.
- Discuss how to evaluate for ACE and provide trauma-informed care
- Practice communicating about diabetes using phrases free from judgment with a focus on a strength-based approach
This webinar is free and you can view it at any time, on any device. To earn CEs, you can purchase this course at our online university store.
Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, BC-ADM, CDCES
Author, Nurse, Educator, Clinician, and Innovator, Beverly has specialized in diabetes management for over twenty years. As president and founder of Diabetes Educational Services, Beverly is dedicated to optimizing diabetes care and improving the lives of those with diabetes.
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Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the diabetes certification exams. CBDCE & ADCES does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the certification exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.
**To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the Certification Board for Diabetes Care & Education (CBDCE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the CBDCE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). CBDCE does not approve continuing education. Diabetes Education Services is accredited/approved by the Commission of Dietetic Registration which is on the list of CBDCE Recognized Providers.
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