Changing the Language of Diabetes

1. The six themes of words that cause negative relationships between provider and patient are judgement, fear/anxiety, labels/assumptions, oversimplifications/directives, misunderstanding/misinformation, body language and tone.

a) True
b) False

2. Negative encounters with patients can cause disengagement, isolation, depression and poor health outcomes.

a) True
b) False

3. Expectancy theory proposes that an individual will behave or act in a certain way because they are motivated to do so.

a) True
b) False

4. The following word(s) have been found to have negative affects during patient interactions:

a) Non-compliant
b) Complications
c) Uncontrolled
d) Treatment failure
e) All of the above

5. Therapeutic inertia starts with thoughts, which leads to ideas, then behaviors, and finally outcomes.

a) True
b) False

6. Some strategies for more effective patient-provider communication include:

a) Using language/messages that are neutral and factual
b) Practicing radical acceptance and avoid judgment
c) Coming from a place of partnership and curiosity
d) All of the Above

7. To foster a relationship with the patient, the provider should acknowledge that diabetes is hard, and ask how they are doing before going over the details of the appointment.

a) True
b) False

8. The following is/are appropriate term replacement(s):

a) Instead of control, say A1C or time in range
b) Instead of suffer, say experience or live with
c) Instead of regimen, say plan or approach
d) Instead of adherence, say medication taking
e) All of the above

9. When addressing a patient with diabetes, it is preferred to say a “person with diabetes” or “diabetes-related” rather than “diabetic.”

a) True
b) False