What to look for in your Diabetes Specialist or Diabetologist and the Centre..?

Diabetes is a chronic disease which unfortunately is not curable as of yet. Heance it requires constant care and interventions both on the part of the patient as well as the Doctor. All doctors are true well wishers of their patients, the doctor - patient relationship is a special and holy relationship which in Diabetes takes different dimensions, instead of being Doctor centric it becomes a patient centric relation- in other- specially acute conditions its the doctor and his or her treatment which plays the decisive role but in Diabetes its the patients behaviour which plays a very decisive and important role in the the control of Diabetes and Prevention of its complications. Hence not only the technical knowledge but the ability to communicate and impress upon the patient the need and means of good Diabetes control become obligations of Diabetologist as well. There are certain essential qualities in the specialists which would enable more effective treatment of Diabetes.

• Diabetologist should devote adequate time to their patients
• Impress upon the patients the need of Diet Control & Exercise
• Conduct regular checkups and explain the importance of monitoring to pateints
• Keep communication channels open with the patients and listen to them ,be sensitive to their problems and issues
• Consider the affordability and economical burden of disease while prescribing treatment
• Explain the importance of preventing complications and recognizing them at an early stage
• Should have well trained staff and support personnel like Diabetes Counselor, Educator, Pharmacist etc.
• Keep himself updated with the latest developments and guidelines to offer the best available treatment
• Make use of the latest technology available like CGMS, Insulin Pumps, Internet, Mobile telephony for the better management of Diabetes.

Diabetes should be controlled by the combined effort of all the medical and non medical professionals, and all play a very important role. A good Diabetes centre should provide not onlt the services of a Diabetologist but also the ancilliary support team cosisting of Educators, Counselors, Pathology Lab, Dispensary, Conduct tests for early diagnosis and prevention of complications.