Author Archives: janekdickinson

The Computer in the Room

When you are in a health-related appointment do you feel like the computer gets more attention from your provider (physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant) than you do? Back in the early 90s hospitals started converting to electronic charting. That … Continue reading

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Diabeternity

Here’s an idea to go along with the whole “Me-ternity Leave” discussion: diabeternity. This could be interpreted as “diabetes for eternity” or as a leave of absence to get diabetes in check. Or both. Or neither. Last month there was … Continue reading

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New Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have recently released their guidelines for healthy eating. These guidelines are meant to help people prevent health problems. The guidelines emphasize the importance of eating a … Continue reading

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Changing diabetes management in older and elderly people

The results of the DCCT and the UKPDS studies changed lives. They also changed health care practice. Since 1993 we have been carb counting and using basal-bolus insulin dosing (type 1 diabetes). We’ve been starting insulin earlier and/or using a combination … Continue reading

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Individualizing care is the opposite of adherence

Both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recently placed greater emphasis on individualizing care. The ADA uses “patient-centered care” in their standards, and NICE supports having individuals involved in … Continue reading

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Diabetes and Surgical Site Infections

Hopefully if you or someone you love has diabetes you already know that high blood glucose leads to infection. High blood glucose also contributes to slower healing wounds. If someone with diabetes has surgery, their risk for infection at the … Continue reading

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The Adolescent-to-Adult Transition in Diabetes Care

There is something referred to as “the adolescent transition,” which is actually the transition to adulthood. “Emerging adulthood” is sometimes defined as ages 18-30. (Being an adult is mandatory; acting like one is optional.) The point is that as a … Continue reading

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Show up and do diabetes

Or check BG. Or exercise. I’m sure you’ve heard of writer’s block. Kids in school, authors, bloggers – everyone experiences it at some point. Same with diabetes block. This stuff gets old and we sometimes hit a wall. But showing … Continue reading

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Common Diabetes Questions

If you’ve read any of my blogs you know I’m passionate about the language (words) we use in diabetes care. I’ve mostly been focused on ways health care professionals can speak in order to empower people with diabetes, but it’s … Continue reading

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Stop Doing What Isn’t Working

Some things are pretty simple and straightforward, yet we still don’t pay attention. If something isn’t working, stop doing it. It may not seem that simple, but if we really look at every angle and use a little creative energy, … Continue reading

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