Messages to doctors and nurses
Communication and attitude of doctors:
- Doctors and nurses need to show they do care and should not get angry if they are upset with us.
- Do not be patronising.
- Take time to get to know each of us as a person, we are all individuals that happen to have diabetes.
- Young people need positive reinforcement, we do not respond well to just criticism.
- Offer us advice and ask what we want to do. Give us a chance to voice our opinions.
- Please don't see us as just 'the patient', dare to see us as part of the team.
- Be sensitive to our needs and our problems in managing diabetes.
Advice and information about diabetes:
- You need to tell young people that they are in control of their diabetes.
- You will make young people understand better if you are friendly to them about why they need to do their blood glucose tests and their insulin injections.
- Educate and inform the young person about diabetes. The more they understand, the better they will feel about managing it.
- Give information first and then ask if we have any questions. Many of us do not like to ask questions.
- Provide us with a contact number for an out of clinic hours.
Last reviewed April 2012.
Last updated April 2012.