Confronting Medical Appointments: Reflections on Endocrinology #30
The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the often disconcerting dynamics between patients and healthcare providers in the management of diabetes. Deborah recounts her recent appointment with her endocrinologist, during which she experienced a profound sense of trepidation, primarily stemming from past encounters that have left her feeling belittled rather than supported. This episode serves as a contemplative examination of the healthcare experience, where Deborah questions the necessity of feeling as though we must play a game in order to secure the care and treatment we require. Deborah expresses a desire for a more collaborative and respectful relationship with healthcare professionals, wherein our voices are acknowledged and valued. Ultimately, she invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and consider how we might foster a more constructive dialogue in the pursuit of optimal health management.
A poignant exploration of the intricacies surrounding diabetes management unfolds within this podcast episode, as Deborah, the host, candidly shares her emotional journey leading up to a pivotal appointment with her endocrinologist. The apprehension she experiences is not merely a personal sentiment; it reflects a broader narrative that many individuals with chronic health conditions can relate to, and have mentioned to her. Deborah’s account of her nervousness, which is further compounded by the physiological responses of her body—evidenced by rising blood sugar levels due to stress—serves as a powerful reminder of the psychological dimensions of living with diabetes. This emotional backdrop sets the stage for a reflective discussion on the nature of patient care and the expectations that accompany medical consultations.
“... one would like to think that we are working with our doctors, that we are actually telling the doctor what is going on ... in our diabetic life, and working as a team to find solutions for a better life with the diabetes .” - Deborah [04:25]
Deborah’s narrative delves deeply into the complexities of the patient-provider relationship, particularly the challenges posed by rigid medical protocols. During her appointment, she confronts the disheartening reality of being subjected to a checklist driven by her endocrinologist, which, while intended to ensure comprehensive care, ultimately reduces her experience to a mere transaction. This aspect of the episode resonates with a critical critique of contemporary medical practices, raising important questions about the efficacy and humanity of healthcare delivery. Deborah’s frustration is palpable as she articulates a desire for a more collaborative approach to diabetes management, where patients are seen as integral partners in their care rather than passive subjects.
- Effective communication with healthcare providers “should be” crucial for achieving optimal diabetes management.
- It is disconcerting that patients often feel compelled to play games to obtain necessary care in medical care situations
- The reliance on checklists by medical professionals can sometimes overshadow patient concerns and needs.
The episode culminates in a broader reflection on the systemic issues that plague the management of diabetes, prompting listeners to contemplate the implications of a healthcare system that often prioritizes efficiency over genuine patient engagement. Deborah's assertion that she and many others feel compelled to play a game in order to secure necessary medical resources underscores the urgent need for reform in patient care practices. This discourse not only serves as a rallying cry for improved communication and understanding between patients and providers but also empowers individuals living with diabetes to assert their needs and advocate for a more equitable healthcare experience.
Chapters
- 02:04 Facing Apprehensions
- 03:50 Reflections on Doctor Visits and Diabetes Management
- 06:39 Managing Stress and Blood Sugar Levels
- 10:33 The Algorithm of Diabetes Care
- 11:50 Understanding Diabetes Management and Technology
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02:04 - Facing Apprehensions
03:50 - Reflections on Doctor Visits and Diabetes Management
06:39 - Managing Stress and Blood Sugar Levels
10:33 - The Algorithm of Diabetes Care
11:51 - Understanding Diabetes Management and Technology
Deborah E
Hello everyone, and welcome to another podcast episode, Diabetic Real. I'm your host, Deborah. I have been a little hesitant with this episode.Mostly nothing to do with you guys, of course, mostly because I have been nervous about an appointment coming up and I was going to record this beforehand to share all those worries, but I waited, had the appointment and hey, I'm still here. I'm so relieved that that appointment is behind me.And the reason I'm sharing it is it's kind of like the next step in that saga of the episode that I covered, episode number 11.And it is linked in the show notes, talking about how surprising it was, how my endocrinologists really approached the situation, talking about my health from a different direction than what I expected. But if you want to hear about that episode, you can listen to it again. It's linked in the show notes.I will say that the appointment that I had with my endo yesterday went fine, but sadly, and this is where I'm really curious if other people have this experience. Now, of course I have the disclaimer at the beginning of the show and I do recommend people work with their doctor.But some of us, as I've been told, I was diagnosed in the quote, unquote, dark ages. I love that quote. And you'll be hearing from very soon. You'll be hearing from the guy that quoted that. It so explains when I was diagnosed.But anyway, I am curious if anyone else has experienced similar circumstances as far as doctors offices. I'm also curious to hear from doctors and their approach to diabetes.I say that because while I'm very happy that the experience went better, I also went in prepared because I did not want to have a repeat of the experience that happened that you would hear about and that you may have heard already in the episode number 11. But what bothers me is that how we accomplished it was by playing games. I know we don't live in a perfect world. I'm not a fool in that regard.But if we were to say that we did live in a perfect world, one would like to think that we are working with our doctors, that we are actually telling the doctor what is going on in our life, in our diabetic life, and working as a team to find solutions for a better life with the diabetes. Am I right?But instead, all I focused on in regard to this appointment with my endo was how can I go see the endocrinologist and not have her yell at me? In fact, I was literally shaking. So much so that I watched my own Blood sugar rise. I hadn't eaten anything and it was rising.It was rising from stress because when I was done, it went right back down. Stress does affect blood sugar and I could actually see my blood sugar be affected now. I also had a low blood sugar.So that was a whole nother little fun time that we were having watching the pump and how it was reacting. And that scared me because I thought, oh no, what if I treat the low blood sugar?And now she yells at me for, oh my goodness, my head was just spinning. I was so scared. And one shouldn't be that scared to go meet with somebody who is supposed to be a team member.Well, my husband kept reminding me, he said, honey, I'm here for you. If she starts yelling at you like she did last time, I'm just going to step up and I'm going to yell right back. Bless his heart. Just love Michael.He's wonderful. Anyway, it all went well. I basically just did. Yes, ma' am. Yes, ma' am.It was pretty difficult to listen to her talk about how wonderful the pump was, which I agree with her. I love the pump and the technology behind the pump, how it works and how it's so much smarter than I could ever be in my life.I'm not saying that isn't true, but it's a little hard to swallow when someone's basically insulting you and saying the pump is smarter than you could ever be. Maybe that's true because it is a computer. I know that.But the funny thing, this is what hit me was, lady, you don't know that when I couldn't sleep last night, I got up in the middle of the night and I was doing programming. And you know what I was programming? I was programming algorithms that are more complicated than what you're describing to me right now. What?I zipped it.I didn't say anything because I didn't want to continue that conversation and I didn't want anything to be contrary to her so that she could find any reason to blow up at me like she had last time. She wanted to look at my feet. I had questions. I had actually bonafide questions, health related about my feet, but she didn't care.All she was checking was circulation. I know that's the important thing for diabetics, but it's like, is there any other.Do you mind answering any of the other health issues or related to diabetes about my feet? But she had her checklist, so I zipped it again, let her go through a checklist. Even though there were diabetic issues that were not covered.The appointment was all about making sure that the endo's checklist recovered. It didn't matter if she insulted me, if she didn't understand me, if she didn't hear me, none of that mattered.So at the end of the day, all it is is an endo checklist. You happily comply, and then, if you're lucky, the endocrinologist. At least this is how it works where I live.The endocrinologist signs off, you get your insulin, and you hopefully live happily ever after. Does anyone think that that algorithm seems off, that we are just literally playing a game?Because really, quite truly, as I've mentioned in other podcast episodes, I run my own diabetes. When I run it the way she suggests, my numbers are not as good as when I run it the way I know to run it.And if anyone wanted to sit down challenge, I'm happy to talk numbers. I'm a programmer. I love numbers. I'm happy to show the numbers.I don't want to bore you on this podcast episode to explain the logic, but my numbers are actually better when I run it the way I run it. I know my body. I know how my body reacts to the pump. I understand the pump. I actually understand the computerized methodology behind the pump.I've been living.I was one of the first adopters of the pump from Medtronic, actually, back when it was minimed, and it's still a minimed pump from Medtronic, but anyway, I've had this, well, obviously upgraded the pumps through the years, but I've been with them for a long time. I understand pump technology.So why people are we as type 1 diabetics Playing games in order to get the medicine that we need, the support that we need, and then turning right around and still managing our diabetes enough to keep ourselves alive longer than anyone ever expected us to be alive. But yet when we go into the doctor, we're supposed to act like someone were, not just to play the game so that we can survive.Does anyone else think that's just a little bit on the kooky side? All right, guys, hey, stay alive and remember, I'm there for you and I don't mind being your voice. All right, love y' all.This is Deborah signing off.
