For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on diabetes distress. 78% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question
Question: JR has type 1 diabetes and tells you, “My doctor just doesn’t seem to understand how to manage type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, I just skip my appointments because it feels like a waste of time.” JR’s most recent A1C was 8.7% and their time in ranges keeps decreasing with each visit.
Based on this, you realize that JR’s provider-related diabetes distress:
Answer Choices:
- has intensified to clinical depression.
- requires urgent referral to a mental health professional.
- could be responsive to self-management coaching.
- may be a sign of disordered eating.
Getting to the Best Answer
If you are thinking about taking the certification exam, this practice test question will set you up for success. Test writers anticipate possible answers based on the details in the question. They will wave those “juicy answers” right under your nose. Your job is to weed through the particulars, pluck out the most important elements, get rid of false answers, do any math very carefully and choose the BEST answer.
Answer 1 is incorrect. 9.58% chose this answer. “has intensified to clinical depression.” This is a tempting answer, but we don’t enough evidence to support that JR is struggling with depression. If we had JR complete the Diabetes Distress Scale, he would certainly score high on provider related distress based on this statement, “My doctor just doesn’t seem to understand how to manage type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, I just skip my appointments because it feels like a waste of time.” These comments certainly fit in the distress category. Through careful questioning and exploration, the diabetes educator could certainly help with problem solving.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 8.18% of you chose this answer. “requires urgent referral to a mental health professional.” Based on JR’s statement, “My doctor just doesn’t seem to understand how to manage type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, I just skip my appointments because it feels like a waste of time,” JR is certainly in distress. However, there is no language indicating that JR is in imminent danger of self-harm. Through careful questioning and exploration, the diabetes educator could certainly carefully assess JR’s mental health state and help with problem solving and referrals as needed.
Answer 3 is correct. About 77.84% of respondents chose this. “could be responsive to self-management coaching.” YES. This is the best answer. We could start by administering the Diabetes Distress Scale and then hone in on the high scoring areas. Then through careful questioning and exploration, the diabetes educator could certainly help with problem solving and identify if additional resources or referrals are needed.
Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 4.39% chose this answer. “may be a sign of disordered eating.” but we don’t enough evidence to support that JR is experiencing disordered eating. However, if we had JR complete the Diabetes Distress Scale, he would certainly score high on provider related distress based on this statement, “My doctor just doesn’t seem to understand how to manage type 1 diabetes. Sometimes, I just skip my appointments because it feels like a waste of time.”
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
Want to learn more about using the Diabetes Distress Scale and Coaching Strategies? Join our next
ReVive 5 Diabetes Training Program
Addressing diabetes distress can be tricky, even for seasoned healthcare professionals.
We invite you to attend this hands-on training program that provides the essential steps to address diabetes distress combined with an innovative approach to glucose management. Our experts offer realistic strategies to address diabetes distress that you can immediately apply to your practice setting. Plus, the ReVive 5 Program provides a breadth of tools and resources to create more meaningful connections with people with diabetes.
“ReVive 5” breathes new life into our relationship with diabetes, bringing a fresh perspective to both the person with diabetes and the provider.
Join A Team of Experts – Save $100
Team of Experts: ReVive 5 is taught by a team of 3 Interdisciplinary Experts:
- Lawrence Fisher, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor Emeritus, UCSF
- Susan Guzman, PhD
- Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Accredited Training Program:
- 14.0 CEs – Includes the 7-hour Session ReVive 5 Training Program, Certificate, and 5 FREE bonus courses to supplement content.
- A comprehensive set of assessment tools, educational materials, log sheets, and resources.
Speakers Interviews – Learn more about the ReVive 5 Team
What is the Biggest Takeaway when Addressing Diabetes Distress? – Dr. Susan Guzman
Do you have to be a Mental Health Expert to Tackle Diabetes Distress? – Dr. Lawrence Fisher
Why I Transformed my Approach to Diabetes Self-Management Education- Coach Beverly
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
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