Diabetes Health Professionals
Topic Overview
Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease
that affects many body systems and requires treatment for the rest of your
life. Because diabetes affects so many parts of your body, it has the potential
to involve many medical specialists.
You have a lot to learn about
both your disease and how best to manage it. But you do not have to go
through this process alone. Health professionals can help you make good choices
about your diabetes treatment. Working with a team, you can make the lifestyle
changes that allow you greater control over the disease and how it develops
over time.
The following table provides information about the
health professionals who may be involved in your care. You need to see some of
these professionals regularly. Others you may see only occasionally or if you
develop complications.
Diabetes health professionals
|
Professional
|
What is their role?
|
When would you see them?
|
| Nurse educator |
Educates people and helps them take control
Often coordinates treatment
|
After diagnosis, to learn about diabetes and
the daily treatment (for example, how to give an insulin injection)
As needed, when daily treatment needs adjusting
|
Primary care physician:
- Internist
- Family
physician
- Pediatrician
Other health professionals that may serve as primary
care coordinators: - Nurse practitioner
- Physician
assistant
|
May serve as diabetes care coordinator and is
responsible for the day-to-day medical management of diabetes
Nurse practitioners or physician assistants may also serve as care
coordinators.
|
Regular visits (2 to 4 times a year) |
|
Endocrinologist or pediatric
endocrinologist
|
Specialty medical care (may coordinate care as
well)
|
Sometimes regular visits, or as treatment
problems come up
|
Other specialists- Nephrologist (kidney
specialist)
- Cardiologist (heart specialist)
- Neurologist
(nerve specialist)
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist (eye
specialists)
- Podiatrist (foot doctor) or orthopedic surgeon (bone
and joint doctor)
|
Provide specialty care for specific
problems
Ophthalmologists and podiatrists provide preventive eye
and foot care, which helps prevent those specific complications.
|
For evaluation, or when a problem develops.
|
| Registered dietitian |
Educates people and helps them set up and
follow their daily meal plan
|
Whenever diet and self-management need
explaining
|
| Exercise physiologist |
Educates people and helps them develop an
appropriate exercise program for their fitness level
|
Initial visit and periodic consultations as
needed
|
Mental health professionals
- Psychiatrist
-
Psychologist
- Social worker
|
Helps people manage stress and cope with
emotional problems, such as
depression, that may develop
|
Regularly (perhaps weekly), for as long as
psychological symptoms go on
|
At a minimum, you need to see a doctor, a nurse educator,
and a dietitian. At health care facilities that specialize in treating
diabetes, you may have a team of all the above professionals and also a
pharmacist to help you.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism |
|
Last Revised
|
September 26, 2012 |
Last Revised:
September 26, 2012