Maria, a 52‑year‑old woman with type 2 diabetes for 8 years, attends a follow‑up visit. Her A1C has risen from 7.8% to 9.2% over the past year. She reports feeling “overwhelmed” and says she didn’t want to start the medication her clinician recommended at the last visit. She explains, “I’m scared of side effects, and I feel like needing medication means I failed.”
Which of the following responses is the least appropriate (i.e., the WRONG thing to say) to Maria?
- “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed. Can you tell me more about what worries you most about starting this medication?”
- “Many people feel this way. Let’s look at your options together so you can make a choice that works for you.”
- “I understand that this is challenging and overwhelming. However, if you don’t start this medication, you are choosing to risk complications like kidney disease or blindness.”
- “It’s completely understandable to have concerns. Would it help if we reviewed what the medication does, talk about the pro’s and the con’s, and about what alternatives exist?”
Learn More From The Experts:
William H. Polonsky, PhD, CDCES, and Susan Guzman, PhD
ENGAGING THE DISENGAGED | Live in San Diego at Marina Village
April 18th, 2026 from 9 AM to 4 PM PST!
In this course, William H. Polonsky, PhD, CDCES, and Susan Guzman, PhD, examine the powerful role of psychosocial factors in diabetes self-management. Through innovative strategies, participants will learn how to recognize and address common barriers to effective self-care and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.
Through a collaborative and person-centered approach, the course emphasizes communication strategies that enhance motivation, build confidence, and reinforce the value of self-management. Participants will develop skills in diabetes-focused action planning, addressing medication hesitancy, and providing ongoing support and resources to sustain behavior change over time. The goal is to help clinicians make diabetes care more doable, meaningful, and effective for people living with diabetes.
