Prof Jane Speight discusses the role of this impactful editorial in a growing global movement to improve #LanguageMatters in diabetes.
Category: Language
Do the words we use really matter to people living with diabetes?
A new US qualitative study has explored whether #LanguageMatters to people living with diabetes.
“When knowing is not enough”: The relationship between emotional distress, health literacy and diabetes management.
New research from Belgium shows diabetes distress and depression moderate the relationship between health literacy and diabetes self-management.
By Jennifer Halliday
by Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott
A commentary on the effect of words on health and diabetes has been published in Diabetes Spectrum. The author, Dr Dickinson, states that despite a push towards person-centred care in diabetes, the terminology used to communicate with and about people with diabetes remains largely unchanged in practice and research. This terminology stems from the traditional medical model for acute care provision and lacks relevance in modern diabtes care. Words used to discuss diabetes and its management may be experienced as judgemental, foster feelings of self-blame and distress, and, in turn, discourage self-care behaviours and health care appointment attendance. Read more