The Doctor will see you now...

I’ve been reading too many stories lately about people being called in to see the doctor and when they get there he’s got no idea what the appointment is for, has the wrong notes which he hasn’t read anyway, and makes wholly inappropriate assumptions or rude and thoughtless comments. Why do such people join the medical profession in the first place? Not for the money, surely?

Now, why have you made an appointment?
‘You asked me if I would come in!’
And why did we ask you to do that?
'I can’t think what the reason might have been!'

Well, let’s have a look at your records…
I see that you’ve had a few tests.
That must be why we want to see you -
To decide what to do for the best!

This test says you’ve just become pregnant!
That’s odd for an eighty year old!
I must say that you’re looking well though,
It’s the hormones that do that, I’m told!

Ah! This test says you’re diabetic!
I’m guessing you must be Type 2,
For Type 1s, it has been my experience,
Are much slimmer and younger than you!

What’s that, you’ve been Type 1 for decades?
You’re not pregnant because you are male?
Well then, please would you go, for I’m busy you know,
And I don’t have the time for your tales!

Why so glum?

Lately, I’ve been reading the most appalling stories about the way people are getting diagnosed – or misdiagnosed – and the dreadful lack of proper advice, support and care they are receiving from their health care teams. How some of these medics can remain in practice and not be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, I do not know. People are being told they have diabetes and then simply being left to their own devices, or given poor and useless advice.

Of course, one of the topics that always crops up is that newly-diagnosed people are being refused test strips so that they can monitor the effects of diet and exercise modifications and determine what works best for them. This is terribly short-sighted, as establishing good habits early on is the best way for someone to remain healthy and capable of managing their diabetes well. Instead, people are either being forced to self-finance or wait until things deteriorate to a point where medication may be needed and possibly damage already done.

Given the huge effort being put into trying to alert people to the dangers of diabetes, why is it that so many are then being treated as though it’s no big deal after diagnosis? I personally received excellent care, and continue to do so, so I know that healthcare professionals are capable of delivering it. A person should leave their doctor’s surgery with a sound plan for their future care, a good basic understanding (and direction to where they can find out more) and hope for the future – that things don’t have to get worse before they are considered worthy of attention. The following may sound a little extreme, but it is frighteningly close to the truth for many people – shame on doctors who think like this!

OK, so you have diabetes,
But you don’t seem to have it too bad!
So just lose some weight, and I’m sure you’ll do great –
I don’t know why you’re looking so sad?

Why would you test your blood sugar?
It’s really not worth it for you…
It’ll make you depressed – believe me, I know best!
It’s a waste of good money in my view!

So make an appointment for next summer,
Then you should be sufficiently worse
For me to give you medication,
And a five minute chat with a nurse!

In the meantime, don’t eat any chocolate,
And be careful if you develop a cough,
For there’s every chance if you cough while you dance,
That one of your feet might fall off!

If you find that your eyesight gets blurry,
Or if you wake up and can’t see at all,
Take that as a clue it’s the right time for you
To give our receptionist a call…

Well, goodbye then, and see you next summer!
Please close the door as you go,
And don’t darken my doorstep until then –
I’ve told you all you need to know!

Doctor Dim

Unfortunately, it seems that the healthcare professionals charged with our care are of variable quality up and down the country, particularly General Practitioners. Some are excellent, with an up to date knowledge of the latest research and treatment methods, very supportive of their patients and concerned primarily for their welfare. Others, sadly, are more concerned with budgets, reducing costs and restricting appointment times rigidly to a measly ten minutes. These latter GPs are also likely to be the ones who are still operating on the knowledge they gained in an afternoon as a student, twenty years previously. I have a good GP who understands that I know about my diabetes better than her, as I deal with it every day, but she is supportive, listens to my concerns, and prescribes the things I need. However, some GPs are loathe to prescribe blood testing strips, particularly to Type 2 diabetics who are not on insulin, on the grounds that they cannot use the information effectively. This is not true, as all diabetics need to know how food affects their blood glucose levels so that they can make necessary adjustments to their diet and lifestyle – the only way they can do this is to test and ‘learn from their meter’. We can only do our best in the face of such ignorance, stand our ground and use the logic of our arguments to ensure we get the level of care we need.

It looks to me as if you’ve let
Your levels get too low,
Trust me, I’m a doctor,
So I think that I should know!

I think you need to test your blood,
But only once a week,
There is no need to test it more,
You’d be a testing freak!

We have to save the pennies here,
And strips are too expensive
For you to test at every meal,
That would be too intensive!

Now, insulin – I’ve noticed that
You’re using far too much!
I’d like you to reduce it please,
You only need a touch.

What’s that you say? I can’t be right?
I think you’ll find, my dear,
Even though you think you know,
That I’m the doctor here!

I’m sorry, but the buzzer’s gone,
And now your time is up –
I haven’t had my coffee yet,
I’m gasping for a cup!

Come back again in six month’s time,
And please take every pill,
We’ll check your blood and find out if
You’re diabetic still…!