Most doctors agree that even a small weight loss will improve type 2 diabetes symptoms, but is the message getting through to their patients? According to a press release from the Behavioral Diabetes Institute, "Eight in 10 physicians surveyed said that they discuss weight issues with their patients almost every visit, yet only four in 10 patients report having these discussions with such frequency."
What causes a communication gap like this to occur? The study suggests that doctors don't always speak in specifics. Perhaps the information that doctors give is too general, and patients have difficulty applying it to their particular health problems. If health advice was tailored to the patient's unique health history, would patients have more success with weight loss and other healthy behavioral changes?
What are your thoughts on this? Does your doctor address issues like weight loss and other healthy lifestyle changes with you? Do you feel that the advice that he or she gives pertains to your particular issues? Hit the comment button below and tell us what you think.
My new doctor practically threw a diet sheet at me (high protein) as he LITERALLY slammed out of the examining room and yelled, “You’ve got psychiatric problems, lady!” (I am a psychotherapist by the way) Don’t ask me why he was so nasty…only reason I can figure out is that he was angry at the doctor who referred me to him as I have a very difficult health life…MS, diabetes, extreme hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia syndrome, etc. He was more calm the next visit.
Because of the hypothyroidism, inability to walk, my weight was up though not awful. However, I’ve also gotten a correct level of thyroid medication and the weight is dropping at a pound per week. No, doctors have failed to talk with me about weight as they should have…reacting, I think, to my problems that make weight loss so difficult. I have, however, embraced the diet. Took two weeks for the carbo cravings to leave. I’ve now lost 14 lbs. and I’m proud of myself! I’m working toward losing the weight needed to get free of the diabetes. Wish me well!
I do wish you well. Your loss is great.
I am seeing a nurse practitioner in my MD’s office now and she has taken more time to explain the way everything works to me than any other doctor has. Most just say “you need to lose weight”, well, duh, I am not blind, ya know! I have lost a little weight in the past week or so. My numbers are coming into control slowly. It seems like many practitioners think we just “know”. I never received ANY training when I went on insulin last year and when I was diagnosed with TII (a long time ago) my doctor just handed me 2 sheets of paper and said “this is your diet”. I wasn’t sure if he meant the papers or the stuff printed on them!! The RNP takes the time to listen to my questions and concerns and addresses them. I really appreciate her effort.