Standards of Care
Standards of Diabetes Care have been established by the American Diabetes Association to help ensure that you are getting the best possible care. Standards include: regular lab tests and medical visits, ongoing education with a diabetes nurse educator and dietitian; having information on access to health insurance; and finding a good diabetes team. For more information on the Standards of Care, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "I am newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am scheduled to attend diabetes classes. I am already feeling overwhelmed with all of this and am looking forward to getting some help. In some of your answers, you refer to the diabetes team. What is the team?”
Health Insurance and Diabetes
Q: "Is there some way I can get health insurance? Since finding out I have diabetes, I have been denied health insurance. The agent said I was too obese and the fact that I have diabetes did not help."
Learning About New Treatments
Q: "My son was recently diagnosed with Type 1 and seems to be handling it very well. We are the ones who are constantly afraid we will do something wrong. He's only 5 yrs. old. We are interested in new breakthrough areas of treatment if they’re out there. This has become my number one issue since his diagnosis. Can anyone help and give us some advice?"
Standards of Care
Q: "How can I be sure I’m getting all the right tests and exams for diabetes?"
Finding A Doctor
Q: "After seeing the same doctor for 35 years in Illinois, I recently moved to Arkansas. I am now on my third doctor here and still can’t find anyone to help me. I’ve been on insulin for a year and my diabetes control is not good. Every time I see my doctor, he just tells me to raise my dose, but he doesn’t look at my glucose logbook! When I ask him questions, or suggest adding insulin during the day (I only take Lantus® at night) he doesn’t respond. When I talk about various symptoms and problems I have, he just says it goes along with high sugar. I called my former doctor who said I should find another doctor. But how do I do this? Do I need to see a specialist, and if so, what kind?"
Staying Current with Diabetes
Q: "How can I keep up with all the information and research going on in diabetes?"
Disaster Planning
Q: "Would you provide advice for diabetes care during disasters?"
Diabetes Education
Q: "In your answers, you often mention discussing things with the diabetes team, or you suggest seeing a diabetes educator and dietitian. I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 months ago and was told to cut out sweets, but I have not been referred to see anyone else. Is it necessary that I see a diabetes educator?"
Becoming a Diabetes Educator
Q: "I am fascinated with diabetes and can’t seem to read enough about it. I am interested in becoming a diabetes educator—what are my first steps and where can I learn more about diabetes?"
Tests and Visits
Q: "The Diabetes Standards of Care mention regular lab and blood pressure checks, but what are the specific goals and frequency?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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