"The new information prescriptions developed by Diabetes UK are simple, clear and easy to understand. They are an additional resource that will allow the person with diabetes to monitor their progress, whilst supporting them to take more responsibility for their condition."
Gail Pasquall, Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist
Information Prescriptionsare a simple and practical one page document, which can be tailored to your patients. They contain the crucial information your patients need on how to better manage their diabetes and an action planning section that they agree with you, their healthcare professional. The document can be printed off and taken away by the patient.
Read the case studies below from healthcare professionals who have used the Information Prescriptions with patients. The case studies highlight:
- the ease of using the Information Prescriptions in short consultations and the benefits of goal setting.
- how Information Prescriptions change the nature of the conversation you have with patients, and
- how Information Prescriptions can be used as a tool to improve adherence and self management.
Dr Farooq Ahmad, GP, South London
A 57-year-old Asian man who has had diabetes for eight years came to see me for a minor illness. After dealing with this I saw the pop up icon on the right of the screen suggesting I could print an information prescription about his diabetes and the fact that his diabetes control was not optimum. After setting some goals himself and handing over the printed personalised sheet to him, he was really grateful and commented that in his time as a diabetic patient this was the first time anyone did some goal setting with him and gave him a personalised plan for his health. Since then this patient has greatly improved his diabetes control and become more focused about his health.
Dr Stephen Lawrence, GP, Medway
A 56-year-old woman with a six year history of Type 2 diabetes with reasonable glycaemic control but sub-optimal lipid profile and blood pressure levels. It is fair to say that over the six years since her diagnosis I, together with many other healthcare professionals, had contributed to her education regarding cardiovascular risk factors. However, it was is sobering revelation to me that, on issuing her with information prescriptions relating to her blood pressure and lipid profile to personalised interventions, she revealed to me that it was the first time that anyone had explained her results. Perhaps more accurately it was the first time that her results have been presented in the way that she could understand. I would highly recommend this tool to healthcare professionals seeking to optimise the care of their patients with diabetes.
Sandi Kendall, Practice Nurse, South London
A 42 year-old man with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed for about five years. He works night shifts at a packing factory and is currently living with his mother due to not being able to afford his own accommodation.
He has a history of poor compliance in taking his medication as he reports that he has adverse side effects with most of the medication he has been prescribed. He also finds it difficult to remember to take his medication, particularly since he has been doing night shift work.
His attendance at his six month reviews is unpredictable as he normally tends to be asleep during the day because of his job. It is difficult to contact him in order to invite to these reviews. He has a love for fizzy drinks and consumes large amounts even though he has been advised to cut down.
In the first three years of his diabetes he was treated with oral medication. Due to his rising HbA1c he agreed to start a mixed insulin to take twice daily. Due to poor compliance with the insulin regime this was discontinued after two months.
When he attended his review I gave him a copy of his Information Prescription. He was able to see in black and white how his blood glucose levels have risen over the last year. We focused on the need to comply with medication and on how keeping to a healthy diet and weight can effect blood glucose levels and cholesterol. The fact that he could actually make his own goals and write them down gave him something concrete and structured to aim for. This had more impact than just being given verbal advice. He was also able to take this home and have a reminder of the goals he had made.
This patient has started to make these small changes which have had an overall effect in improving his diabetes management, resulting in a reduction in his HbA1c from 82mmols to 65 mmols.
When people are enabled to be in the driving seat of their care they invariably make decisions that are right for them and enjoy better personal and health outcomes. Diabetes UK have developed some promising, desktop-accessible Information Prescriptions. When these are used as part of a caring therapeutic relationship, they will help promote shared decision making, goal setting and support self-management. They are likely to be a welcome tool to help people have more confidence, knowledge, understanding and skills to collaborate in their diabetes care”
Graham Kramer, GP and The Scottish Government's Clinical Lead for Self Management and Health Literacy
