A Month In The Life Of A Diabetic
Diabetes Support Series: Support & Self Care Behaviors For Managing Diabetes
Diabetes Support Series: Cooking For Heart Health & Diabetes
Diabetes Patient Support Series: The Best Physical Activity For Managing Diabetes
Diabetes Patient Support Series: Cooking For Heart Health & Diabetes
Diabetes Patient Support Series: Support and Self Care Behaviors For Managing Diabetes
National Diabetes Awareness Month
What is your definition of a good doctor? A survey conducted by Harvard University suggests that empathy, kindness, compassion and good listening were more important to patients than whether the physician was competent and tenacious.
While this may not reflect truth for everyone, Vibrant Health wants to better understand how to emotionally and physically support our patients living with diabetes.
In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, and through the use of modern technology, Vibrant Health Nephrologist, Ben Morgan, MD (who is not diabetic), will vicariously live the life of an insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetic – -and blog or post videos about his experiences regularly throughout the month of November.
Dr. Morgan will be responding to data provided by an insulin-dependent Type 1 Diabetic* wearing the identical model Medtronic pump Enlite® continuous glucose monitoring sensor (CGMS) that is linked to Dr. Morgan’s smart phone. Though this technology, he will have access to real-time blood glucose readings and other valuable information at crucial points during the day, including: before and during exercise; prior to driving; and in the middle of the night.
The weblog will track Dr. Morgan’s transitional journey from his multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) to insulin pump therapy and through the ups and downs of living with – and managing — diabetes. Dr. Morgan will learn what it feels like to check and monitor his blood sugars, adjust and inject himself with insulin, grocery shop and manage the myriad challenges along the way.
The end goal is for Dr. Ben Morgan to understand what it feels like to live with diabetes so he can better relate to the barriers and challenges of living with this disease. In other words, he’ll learn to better empathize with patients and help Vibrant Health provide additional tools, valuable resources, and support and information to help our patients realize their greatest potential and be powered by health and wellness.
*The name is being withheld to respect the privacy of the patient.
Upcoming Diabetes Patient Support Series
Kumquat and Other Grocery Store Mysteries
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 6 PM – 7 PM
Presenters: Debra Sanders, RD, CD, CDE and Louise Bilk, Regional Wellness Specialist
Location: Family Fresh Market in River Falls
Using Technology as a Tool for Managing Diabetes
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 6 PM – 7 PM
Presenters: Debra Sanders, RD, CD, CDE, Samantha Bluhm and Kensey Schultz
Location: River Falls Area Hospital Classrooms
The Best Physical Activity for Managing Diabetes
Date: January TBD from 6 PM – 7 PM
Presenters: Local gym representatives
Location: River Falls Area Hospital Classrooms
Cooking for Heart Health and Diabetes
Date: Tuesday, February 7 from 6 PM – 7 PM
Presenters: Debra Sanders, RD, CD, CDE and Louise Bilk, Regional Wellness Specialist
Location: Family Fresh Market in River Falls
Support and Self Care Behaviors for Managing Diabetes
Date: Tuesday, March 7 from 6 PM – 7 PM
Presenters: Deb Sanders, Vibrant Health Family Clinic Care Coordinators
Location: River Falls Area Hospital Classrooms
Read the log entries below to follow Dr. Ben Morgan as he puts himself in the shoes of his diabetic patients and lives the life of a Diabetic for the month of November.
Log 1: Tools For Managing Diabetes
Log 2: Pager for a Pump
Log 3: What Dr. Ben Morgan Learned from NOT Reading the Manual
Log 4: Tangled Up
Log 5: Costly Mishap
Log 6: Not All Pancakes (Hotcakes) are Equal
Log 7: Precious Drops
Log 8: I don’t want to be diabetic today
Log 9:
Log 10: