Not an easy question to answer. Many think they have an answer. Bear with me for some questions and potential answers.
Is it you? Yes, and this is often the answer. We are often our own worst enemy. For what ever the reason, we can many times find ourselves to blame for non-management of diabetes. We should not blame ourselves for developing diabetes, but many cannot get past this and become the person at fault for not managing their diabetes. I will return to this at the end.
Is it the doctor? Yes again and for many reasons. First, lets define the potential range of doctors that may be potentially involved. Many people can have a general practitioner. Others will use a doctor of internal medicine. Some will have a doctor known only as a family practitioner. Still others will have a primary care physician. Very few of these will specialize in diabetes, but some will be very knowledgeable about diabetes because they have spent the time to stay current with the developments. Others will have little or limited knowledge and if they are good, they will adapt and learn. Some of the better doctors will refer patients to doctors that know about diabetes.
Then there are doctors that specialize in the endocrine system, but still may not be knowledgeable in diabetes. Then we have those that specialize in diabetes. And even then there are quality endocrinologists and those that are not. As with any doctor, it will take a good fit between patient and doctor to have great success. Others can have good success with a less that perfect partnership.
What needs to be recognized is many doctors just don't pass on information to assist you is managing diabetes. Or they refuse to get you to classes that would instill the reasons for management and how to manage diabetes effectively. Some will not work with you to battle the medical insurance monopoly to get you the testing supplies to help you get started. Many just don't want you testing your blood glucose as they want to be in charge and do not want you to become discouraged when the results are not good.
If you have one of these doctors, you should seriously consider finding another doctor if it is possible. I realize that many people live in rural areas where doctors are few and far between. In these situations, it may be necessary to stay with a doctor and attempt to get education if possible from the internet, but that can sometimes be difficult in some rural communities.
In these extreme situations, you may need to work more intelligently with your doctor and even beg for testing supplies and encourage the doctor to become more knowledgeable. An acquaintance of mine needs to drive 90 miles one way to the nearest doctor. He is very fortunate that the doctor is knowledgeable about diabetes and encourages use of the internet and also works with him to answer questions via emails. This is the exception, but it works for both of them. His appointments are also a rare thing as he is often there for a full half an hour, when needed.
So if you have a doctor that you can work with, consider it a blessing and cultivate the good relations and ask questions.
I will be covering more in part 2. (1 of 3)
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