Improving Your Diabetes Care Visits

Getting what you need
Your doctor and other providers are there to help you, and they can help you the most if you are honest with them about your symptoms, lifestyle, and willingness or ability to carry out the various parts of your diabetes care plan. Unless they know what parts of your current diabetes plan are difficult for you, they can’t work with you to develop a plan that works better.

If you have a problem you feel embarrassed about, remember that your doctor has almost certainly heard it before from other patients. Think about the most comfortable way for you to bring up the topic, and practice saying what you have to say in private before your appointment. It may also help to bring a booklet or brochure on the topic, if you have one, to get the conversation going. Even if your doctor doesn’t have all the answers for your particular problem, he can refer you to other professionals who can help.

Always remember that you are a consumer of health care. In one way or another, you are paying for the time you spend with your health-care provider. Get the most out of it by coming prepared, asking the questions that are important to you, and following up until you understand the answers.