Are You 'Disconnected' From Your Doc?

Filed in archive Challenges on May 31, 2006

Do you share a good rapport with your physician, or do you feel that your words sometimes fall upon deaf ears?

A recent study shows that a primary reason diabetes remains difficult to treat is due to a 'disconnect' between doctor and patient, both experiencing frustration that the other just doesn't "get it."

For example, two-thirds of patients (69 percent) say they feel very knowledgeable or knowledgeable about managing their condition. At the same time, 81 percent of physicians surveyed say they are frustrated with the number of their type 2 diabetes patients who do not follow their treatment regimen exactly as prescribed. The survey also shows gaps in understanding of the disease itself.