What are the best strategies for communicating with patients and families about diabetes?

Understand and accepting the diagnosis of Diabetes take a TEAM approach. T- Teaching - providing education on a level the patient can understand and implement. E - Empower- allowing the patient to be empowered to express fears, concerns, allowing them to make decisions in their care process. A- Advocate - patients need someone on their side. M - Monitor - this is not just monitoring diabetes but also their monitoring of their mental health and how they are accepting their diagnosis.

In my experience of 20 years I use this plan : DIABETES-CARE . D - Develop Trust through open and honest communication. I - Individualized Plans to each patient's unique needs and preferences. A - Active Listening to patients and their families B - Build Confidence E - Empowerment of patients with knowledge and tools to take control of their health. T - Two-Way Dialogue E - Education comprehensive and easy-to-understand education S - Success Stories C - Cultivate Empathy A - Accessible Information R - Reinforce Positivity Use positive reinforcement to acknowledge and motivate positive behaviors. E - Engage Family Support Encourage the involvement of family . Avoid fearful or negative enforcements. Use learn and unlearn technique.

Diabetes is so common that it can face the danger of being normalized. I see reactions from - "It runs in my family" to utter shock. So the clear way to communicate is to take it from where the patient is. Asking questions and having a conversation where the patient can critically think makes this educational process impressionable.

It is very important to be honest with diabetic patients. They truly don't know that what they eat is what is causing their type 2 diabetes. They need to be educated about ultraprocessed foods, the sugar equivalence of starches, fruits, vegetables, and other carbohydrates, and explained that their blood sugar is directly connected to the amount of carbohydrates they consume. Reducing ultraprocessed foods and all carbohydrate-containing foods and increasing animal proteins can help reduce their blood sugar and reverse their diabetes. Most importantly: they need to be told that type 2 diabetes can be put to remission and may be reversible. Be honest, don't just give them medications. Teach them what to do.

To communicate well with affected people, in my opinion, the most important thing is to show real interest in their problems and needs. Resolve their doubts as if they were your own doubts.

1. **Understanding Diabetes:** - Start by explaining what diabetes is, including its causes, symptoms, and how it affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels. 2. **Healthy Eating:** - Educate patients about the importance of a balanced diet in managing diabetes. - Teach them how to read food labels, understand portion sizes, and make healthy food choices. - Emphasize the benefits of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. 3. **Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels:** - Demonstrate how to use a glucose meter and interpret blood sugar readings. - Explain the significance of monitoring blood sugar levels.

Explain what DM is, it’s short and long term effects but most importantly that they play the pivotal role in managing their Disease