Diabetic "White Coats"
For many years given the choice, whatever the particular "white coat" role; CDE, dentist, Endo, eye doctor, MD, nurse, psychologist... I would definately prefer to deal with a fellow diabetic in any health care roles( s) when and if I needed someone.
I am very curious, do my diabetic peers feel this way as well? If so, got a fellow diabetic that you would recommend....? If you understand/agree with this sentiment, why do you feel this way?
Stuart
Tags: CDE, LCSW, PHD, coat, dentist, diabetic, doctor, eye, medical, nurse, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on -
Hello Rick:
Thank you for taking part. Having been hospitalized several times in the last decade (non diabetic stuff), you could not force me into any hospital without a diabetic nurse/MD watching my back. Even "senior nurses" were worthless, policy ruled regardless of medical necessity...
Glad to hear you survived your experience.
Stuart
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Permalink Reply by Leo2 on -
Stuart,
I vote for a combination, a team that includes professionals as well as fellow Type 1 diabetics. We all need to develop our teams, and the teams change from one period of life to the next, from one phase to another.
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Permalink Reply by Betty J on
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I appreciate the medical personnel thru the years who have helped me to understand this disease but having a CDE who is T1 has been the most helpful.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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Hello Betty:
Thank you for taking part. Now why do you think that is exactly? Because its not an abstraction from them (one of us) which makes them more helpful? Because they DO what they are asking us to do....
What do our peers who are white coats provide us???
Stuart
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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on -
hI STU...
My initial ( and best) pump trainer was a type 1 who was a Resident in Pediatric Neurology at our local
Children's hospital. She was young, blonde , energetic, and had a full life: she was married AND a marathon runner. She provided me with the real-world insight that one could have a pump and a very busy life and NOT have to compromise your activities nor become OCD about control. I have had medical personnel who had loved ones with the Big D: My CGMS Trainer had a pre-teen son with type 1; and my nutritionist had a husband with type 2..So I believe that they had insights from reality, such how to eat out without prior notice;m how to deal with exercise);rather than "textbook" examples.....
My non-diabetic,endo , who is a wonderful practitioner, has a majority of type 2 patients and a relatively few type 1s.,. He sometimes tells me that he has learned from me and other somehat vigilant type ones, how very difficult it is to manage insulin and real life. He says our efforts have helped him to see both the tests and triumphs that new insulin users ( mostly his type 2's) experience, and how to empathize with them.
I do so appreciate empathy and consideration in all my health care providers, whether or not they are diabetic
God Bless,
Brunetta
P.S> Stu ,it is back to school time...Aren't you ecstatic like I am ( LOL)?
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Permalink Reply by Judith on -
Brunetta, my friend---Empathy and Consideration-----That says it. Thanks.......
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Permalink Reply by Janny on -
Stuart...interesting discussion. Since "joining" tudiabetes, I have learned soooo much. Many D's on here seem to take charge of their diabetic care. I always thought I was on top of my game; however, when the, as you call them, white coats (even though very empathetic and educated) told me to make a change, I did it. Some (most) of the time I would have been better off w/my instincts. Guess it's better to learn now than never....and to answer your initial question...I think it would be perfect to have a diabetic endo, dds, opthamologist, etc. that was educated and empathetic. BUT, it's not a perfect world.
And, I like the earlier comment about "they are out there to sell and make money"; however, I am having a real problem with service after the sale:)
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Permalink Reply by Janny on
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Stuart:
noticed your W.Churchill quote on your homepage.
One of my favorite Churchill quotes is "When you are going through hell, keep going" !
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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Hello Janny:
Can I get an group AMEN to that one.... "When you are going through hell, keep going..."
-lol- tremendous quote, thank you for sharing it!
Stuart
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Permalink Reply by Robyn Lynnea on
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I have been so blessed I have had two CDE's that were both diabetic and they have helped me with handling my diabetes SO well! They have blown my doctors without diabetes out of the water.... although I did have a pretty good Internist and have a pretty good Endo too...
Right not though I am struggling to find a new good primary care/ internal medicine doctor.... the one I have right now is so ignorant! He deals with type 2 diabetics so often he does not seem to understand that my insulin plan meets my diet and not the other way around! He was so rude to me at my last appointment because he made me feel like I had no idea what I was talking about (when I knew very well HE had no idea what he was talking about) I burst into tears and could NOT stop crying... it was so embarrassing!! (examples of things he said: "you should not be testing more that two times a day"... when I was diagnosed only three months ago I am testing more like 6 times a day!)
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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on
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Robyn,Do not go to this " Quack" any more.. and anyone regularly on this site knows that I am not one to call names. This is serious:He obviously knows nothing about type one diabetes and does not want to learn, If you can get rid of him.. It is not worth the tears to continue to interact with the knowingly ignorant when it comes to your own health care........Can you stay with one of the Two prior CDE's or find another CDE who can help?: In my honest opinion: your internist is useless and I would not want him treating any other condition outside of the diabetes, either.. Can you get a referral/recommendation to another internist from your endo?
God Bless,
Brunetta
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Permalink Reply by Sekhmet on
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I am a 'diabetic white coat' so to speak. I am a transplant immunologist, and have some contact with diabetic patients who are in need of a kidney or kidney/pancreas transplant (among other things). I would like to think that to those patients who recognize my insulin pump is not a beeper and my CGMS is not a blackberry I can give them some measure of comfort to know that I am 'one of them' and understand in a way that no one else can - and am doing my best to help them live a better life. Thank you for your post. If anyone has any ideas as to how I can do this effectively (maybe this is a whole separate discussion) - or if anyone sees a niche that people like me can fill I would love to hear ideas. I know that I can use this position to make a more positive impact :)
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