FEATURE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE
knowledge helps people with diabetes to feel more empowered and confident to take active control of their condition and it also facilitated an optimized doctor-patient dialogue. The findings of the SteP study provide us with strong evidence that the concept of structured SMBG has a substantial impact on both – behavioral and medical parameters.
Q: What type of programs is Diabetes Research Institute Group Munich driving to improve societal health in this region? A: Overall, we apply the same approach and structured educational programs at an increasing level throughout Germany. And from my experience the programs work equally well for the individual as for group trainings. If we use the potential we have at hand with such an individualized,
«Today, various very useful drug options exist to achieve good glycemic control in diabetes patients»
structured and target-oriented diabetes management – we can benefit from the most promising form of diabetes therapy today.
Q: What can be done with regards to diabetes awareness in this region? A: To a certain extent we have to shift the mindset of the society. Many people with diabetes – and in particular many newly diagnosed people - still feel overwhelmed and believe that this condition is something nearly unsolvable. We need to reassure patients that diabetes is
a challenging condition but it is also something that can be managed. SMBG can help tremendously to decrease the potential burden of diabetes and support the goal to achieve optimized blood glucose levels. We should convey in all our activities
to raise awareness that by no means diabetes stands for the end of an active lifestyle and it should not hinder people from doing things they like to do. With structured, individualized diabetes management, diabetes cannot only be handled smoothly and efficiently in the everyday. It is also possible to delay the onset of secondary complications. So we should not only increase the
awareness for the condition and its optimal management but also continue to work on implementing the adequate diabetes care structures and leveraging the already existing resources. ■
AH
Arab Health Issue 4 2011 27
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