My Diabetes Information Blogs
Are there Gaps in Your Diabetes Care?
03/08/07
Treatment Options, Diagnosis, General
- by Matt Nilsen
In many parts of the world, governments finance health care rather than individuals, health plans, or insurers. Perhaps it is more accurate to state that the health plan or health insurer is the government. Parallel with the financial responsibility, many governments also feel an obligation to manage health the best that they can. We assume that most of our readership is from the United States, so we'll do a little comparing.
In the United States, people are often responsible for orchestrating their own health care. They get a lot of help from their doctors, and there are some influences from government, health plans, and other entities. However, when a person develops diabetes, the treatment the person receives depends on the doctor and the patient.
In the United Kingdom, the National Health System (NHS) operates many of the hospitals and finances the majority of the health care. It has assumed the responsibility of managing and improving diabetes care for the citizens of the British Commonwealth. A report by the British Department of Health identified two main "gaps" in patient care in Great Britain.
1 - Insulin pumps are still underutilized.
2 - The NHS must identify people with diabetes earlier on so they do not live unknowingly with it.
Well, if you're reading this site, you certainly know or suspect that diabetes is part of your life. So, you've been identified. However, a very small percentage of people with diabetes use insulin pumps. The insulin pump is not perfect, but the majority of insulin pump users improve their A1C scores, health, and happiness. Have you considered one? If you use insulin, it may be your best bet.
On the complimentary side of the report, observers generally applaud the NHS for its efforts to influence people to lose weight after their diabetes diagnosis.