Patient Adherence: Getting Personal

This week my wife was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I must say it was a bit of a surprise as she is slim and generally eats quite healthy food.

By Klynn Alibocus on Apr 8, 2009

This week my wife was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I must say it was a bit of a surprise as she is slim and generally eats quite healthy food. There is an inherent fear of the unknown and the questions running through her mind were Why me? What do I do now? How will this affect me? But her story of her initial thoughts can be echoed across many patients.

I once heard a fascinating speaker discuss how a small part of the brain called the Amygdala works. He stated when a patient hears something they really dont like, the excessive fear response generated by the Amygdala may then make it difficult for the Healthcare professional (HCP) to manage their patients anxiety! So if the HCP is trying to educate the patient about the disease and treatment regime they dont hear that, all they hear is Why me? What do I do now? How will this affect me? This is why the first words uttered by the HCP are vital and why motivational interview techniques if done well can potentially overcome some of the patients natural Amygdala response.

At the eyeforpharma conference in June Professor Horne and Dr Wendy Clyne will speak on the subjects of patient behaviour and motivational interviewing techniques ; I will be listening intently and will be making notes. I will then try and apply what Ive learnt in helping my wife cope with her diabetes..that is of course if she will listen to me!