The healthcare team
Who’s who?
Here’s a quick guide to the various medical experts from your healthcare team who’ll help you to manage your diabetes
At your GP practice
Your GP will be responsible for your diabetes care at the surgery, helped by the practice nurse. GPs are not experts in diabetes in teenagers so they will refer you to a clinic or to a special diabetes centre.
The specialists
Diabetes in young people
Someone who does have a specialist knowledge, though, is the paediatric diabetes specialist nurse or PDSN. They only work with people with diabetes. They can give you advice and may also visit your home or school. Diabetologists/Paediatricians also have expertise in diabetes and are usually based at a hospital clinic or special diabetes centre.
Food advice
You are also entitled to receive advice about what to eat from a registered dietitian. Their job is to help you to eat healthily and you may see them about twice a year.
Your vision
You will start having eye examinations from the age of twelve onwards. An optometrist may screen you for retinopathy (a condition that affects the seeing part of the eye). There are no obvious symptoms of retinopathy, which is why you should have your eyes regularly checked.
Head to toe
There may be a range of other medical practitioners that you see from time to time. For example, at some point, you may see a chiropodist or podiatrist who looks after your feet to prevent problems in later years. You may also wish to talk to a psychologist about any problems you are facing, or how you are feeling.
Pharmacists and chemists
Finally, don’t forget the pharmacist who sorts out your prescriptions at your local pharmacy or chemist – they’re often helpful in answering all sorts of general questions.
Ask, ask and ask again...
All these people are there to help. If you don’t understand what they say, ask them to explain again until you do. It’s important you understand your diabetes so that you can take control of it.
By the way...
When you see a doctor about something unrelated to your diabetes, or visit your dentist, don’t assume they know about your diabetes. Be on the safe side and spell it out to them.
Your comments
I think my healthcare team are fantastic! My doctor really explained things to me and even a year later he is never too busy to help me with a problem. I'm lucky to have such great help. :)
- Janie