50 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes. Kathleen Stanley

       PICK THE BEST

      Fortunately, there are established standards of care that exist for diabetes management published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). You may want to get to know these standards by visiting the ADA website (www.diabetes.org), calling the toll-free number (1-800-DIABETES), or asking a certified diabetes educator (CDE). Physicians who have met these established national standards can apply for a unique voluntary status known as “American Diabetes Association Recognized Provider.” This rigorous application signifies that the physician has achieved and maintained national standards of care in diabetes. Something else to note—this is a volunteer process that takes time and effort. The mere fact that the physician felt it important enough to pursue can say a lot. To find a physician who has achieved this recognition, go to http://recognition.ncqa.org.

       FINDING PHYSICIANS ONLINE

      To find an endocrinologist in your area, try the following websites, which have physician search options.

Web Address	Site Sponsor
www.ncqa.org	National Committee for Quality Assurance
www.diabetes.org	American Diabetes Association
www.dlife.com	dlife Incorporated
www.aace.com	American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
www.ama-assn.org	American Medical Association
www.healthfinder.gov	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.abms.org	American Board of Medical Specialists

      Many insurance providers have online physician finders that also list affiliations and accreditations. These finders offer the benefit of looking specifically for doctors that accept your insurance. Finally, your state medical association should also have information online.

       INVESTIGATE THE RECORDS

      Find out what your potential provider’s qualifications are and how long they have had them. The local state medical board may be able to provide you with information about physician status and previous outcomes. In the near future, doctors may also have “report cards” available on the Internet that will provide you with information about quality of care. In addition to the physician, do your homework on the other staff members. Some offices use physician assistants or nurse practitioners to help with the growing numbers of patients. These health care professionals also have state licensing boards that can be contacted for researching information.

       WHERE WILL THEY SEND YOU?

      Consider the hospital or diagnostic centers your potential physician is affiliated with. If you are not impressed with the facilities to which they will refer you, it could add undue stress when a need or emergency arises. Check to see if the center or facility has a CDE on staff (search for individual CDEs at www.aade.net), or has achieved American Diabetes Association Recognition (search for recognized sites at www.diabetes.org). Also ask where you will receive diabetes education classes—a pamphlet on “diet” and a free meter won’t do.

       LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

      This may seem like an unimportant detail, but the location of your doctor’s office can affect how willing you are to make appointments. You will more than likely require several checkups or “well visits” during the year, so carefully evaluate the location of the physician (including their parking areas!). Make sure you have reliable and accessible transportation to the office. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, it may be worth a longer trip. However, don’t set yourself up for a long drive if you feel it will keep you from making regular appointments. Missing check-up appointments will disrupt your physician’s ability to perform preventative assessments and interventions for your future health.

       ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED ON A DOCTOR

       BE CONSIDERATE

      Remember the doctor-patient relationship is a two-way street. No-show appointments are a pain for physician offices, as they are lost time that could have been made available to another person in need. Be considerate. If you make an appointment, stick with it, or call well in advance to reschedule. When calling, talk with the staff with the understanding that you are not the only patient in the practice, and that some demands may take longer than what you anticipated. Staff remember bad-tempered patients as well as patients remember bad-tempered staff.

       MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT

      Bring the following items to your appointment. Doing so can mean a more efficient and thorough visit for you and your health care providers.

      

Specific list of questions and concerns (don’t leave it up to the doctor to ask all the right questions, or expect him or her to be a mind reader)

      

Blood glucose meter for downloading

      

Accurate (and honest) blood glucose diary (hand written or computer-generated)

      

Easy to remove footwear—to allow a foot inspection (if your doctor doesn’t do this at each visit, make them)

      

List of current medications, including over-the-counter products and nutritional supplements

      

An update on recent illnesses or ongoing health problems (be sure to fill out that sometimes-lengthy health questionnaire at your visits and update it when changes occur, even though it is tedious)

      

Current insurance card(s)

      

Name and phone number of current pharmacy to refill or renew prescriptions (will save you both a phone call later)

      

Paper and pen for writing down new information or instructions

      

A friend or family member who can help provide both support and a second set of ears to hear and remember the information provided during the visit

      If you leave the appointment feeling you need