As another QOF year drawers to a close in general practice I am considering how I can make the next year’s diabetic reviews more successful.
Top of the list is to try and engage the dis-engaged, offer a more holistic review and consider taking a different approach in supporting people on managing their condition, all in twenty-minute consultation of course!
Julie Marsh
As part of my MSc dissertation, I looked at the concept of group clinics vs an individual one to one review in primary care and results from research that was published proved that they are successful firstly in that a greater number of patients can be seen in a time frame and more importantly the structure allowed the patients to feel more empowered.
I constantly reflect on how at times I feel uncomfortable with the set up in my diabetes clinic with the desk and computer between me and my patients. It feels like there are barriers and this creates an in balance of power. There is a lot to be said about staging the right environment so the patient feels comfortable and not judged.
As part of reigniting my zest for all things diabetes, I have booked my place on a diabetes conference in the Autumn and listened to some interesting webinars recently to keep me inspired. One of which really got me thinking. It was about young type 2 diabetes. It really got my brain ticking over as the speakers discussed the need for an extended review for the under 40s cohort and a dynamic approach to ensure good diabetes management. I would be interested in finding out if other surgeries or PCN’s are making extra provisions for this group of patients and how they are supporting it. I have run a search at my practice this week. I am going to work through the individuals and assess the current picture as a starting point. I will give an update on this next time.
Finally, those in primary care working with patients on the frontline will be aware of Ramadan approaching next month.
There is a useful episode that I stumbled across on the Diabetes Specialist Nurse podcast series where a pharmacist, who will herself be taking part in the practice of worship, gave some informative tips and tricks for people living with diabetes who will be fasting. I have put some resources around our surgery in poster format to offer this advice to any of our patients who may need it. I would however need to seek advice from the specialist diabetes team about type 1 diabetics and insulin as this is more complex and I would want to ensure I was giving the correct and safe advice on this.
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- Source: https://diabetestimes.co.uk/life-on-the-front-line/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=life-on-the-front-line