Diabetes tech discussion guide

i. Make a list of the things you would like to discuss with your healthcare professional (HCP). Tip: use a note on your mobile phone to make your ‘Diabetes Life List’ so it’s easy to add things as you think of them. Plus, it’ll be easy to find your list on the day of the appointment.

ii. In making your ‘Diabetes Life List’, think about how diabetes is fitting into your life, or ways you’re having to fit your life around diabetes. Is there anything you feel like you can’t do because diabetes will get in the way? Does anything keep you awake at night? Being very specific about any worries or how diabetes is affecting your daily life will help your HCP give you the best support.

i. Make detailed logs about your day-to-day diabetes management to show your HCP. Data downloads from diabetes devices can give your HCP a lot of numbers, but they may not tell the whole story. 

Tip: the free printable ‘Detailed 3-day Logsheet’ here may be useful (print several copies to cover 2–3 weeks). If you use a glucose sensor, you can write the number and the arrow direction in the ‘Blood Sugar’ box whenever you check your glucose level. If you have symptoms of a hypo and decide to have carbs without checking your glucose level, write H for hypo in the ‘Blood Sugar’ box and your estimate of the number of carbohydrates you used to treat it. If you have a low glucose value without symptoms, circle the entry so you have a record of the asymptomatic hypo. If you had to change your plans because you were afraid of diabetes getting in the way, or you didn’t feel safe doing something you wished to do, make a note about this in the ‘Notes’ box.

i. Look over your printed logs and highlight patterns. You can use one coloured marker to circle highs and a different colour for lows.

ii. If you had to take 6 or more jabs in a day, write the number of jabs in the margin next to that day so it’s easy to see.

iii. Decide how you will use your data to share with your HCP why you are interested in or concerned about the things on your list of things to discuss. Tip: Compare the list of things you would like to discuss with your HCP in your phone with your detailed logs to help you identify specific information in your logs to discuss at your appointment. 

iv. Have your Diabetes Life List ready (on paper or on your phone).

i. Say at the start of the appointment that you have brought a list of things you would like to discuss. 

ii. Point out specific data points in your logs that relate to your list of things to discuss. 

iii. Ask your HCP for their help on what you should try or change. Keep a note of what they say in your phone so you have a record of it. Tip: Ask what you should do if this suggestion doesn’t work, or seems to cause another issue, and make a note of what they say.

i. If you are interested in a specific type of technology, ask: ‘After today, what would you need to see to be able to consider whether [type of diabetes technology] would help with my/my child’s diabetes control?’

i. Consider using the detailed log sheets again for a few days to see how your HCP’s suggestions from the appointment are working for you. 

ii. If you do not receive a copy the letter from your clinic to your GP telling them about your appointment, ask your GP please to print a copy for you. It’s a useful reminder of the discussion and can be handy if you need to follow up on anything that was agreed on the day.