March 9, 2022

Diabetes Emotional Distress – Using the 7 A’s Model in Clinical Practice

Practice Points - Diabetes Emotional Distress

In his recent post, Are Clinicians Missing Part of their Patients’ Story?, Garry Welch, Ph.D. described why it is important for clinicians who provide care for people with diabetes to understand what diabetes distress is and how it differs from depression. If depression has been identified properly through a screening tool, clinicians in non—provider roles …

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March 8, 2022

Five Ways Clinicians Can Support a Patient Experiencing Diabetes Distress

Practice Points - Diabetes Emotional Distress

Studies show that approximately 20–45% of patients living with diabetes are emotionally overwhelmed and at risk of disengaging from treatment or becoming depressed. Few doctors are aware of these patient struggles, but “diabetes distress” as it is known clinically, is now recognized as a key “vital sign” by both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association. These rates show that …

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March 5, 2022

Diabetes Emotional Distress – Are Clinicians Missing Part of their Patients’ Story?

Practice Points - Diabetes Emotional Distress

Today, healthcare organizations and clinicians are increasingly asked by payors and employers to improve care quality, reduce gaps in care, and foster patient engagement in treatment. This is part of a growing national emphasis on value-based and whole-person care, particularly for the costly chronic conditions that impact more than 133 million people in the US. …

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March 5, 2021

Five Foods You Can Tell Your Patients to Reach for in a Convenience Store

Practice Points - Nutrition

At some point in their busy lives, your patients are going to turn to or find themselves in a convenience store to buy food. This will happen occasionally for some patients, such as when they are traveling for vacation or run out of a food staple before the next grocery trip. However, it may be a regular practice for others, often because conveniences stores are, well convenient –  close to …

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February 24, 2021

Giving Your Patients the Whole Truth About High Blood Pressure

Practice Points - Heart Health

The World Health Organization has declared hypertension a global health crisis. An astounding 45% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and it was a primary or contributing cause of death for almost 500,000 people in the United States in 2018 alone.   Yet, many people with hypertension take little heed of it. The …

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February 19, 2021

Five Ways to Help Patients Break Through the “I Don’t Have Time” Barrier to Physical Activity

Practice Points - Heart Health

Sedentary behavior is one of the five risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Physical activity is a boon for heart health as it reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, increases HDL cholesterol, and promotes insulin selectivity. Also, it is a supportive aid to weight loss and an essential one for weight maintenance. Despite these benefits, less than 20% …

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