GPs ‘ should be trained to give diabetes therapy’
Nurses and GPs should be trained to provide therapy for patients struggling with type II diabetes, it has been claimed.
Currently, a shortage of trained professionals means access to counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy is severely limited.
A recent study examined the effects of offering type II diabetes patients such treatment.
It found that blood glucose levels were reduced in patients whether they received therapy from psychological therapists or trained general health professionals including GPs and nurses.
Coventry GP Dr Kumkum Misra, who was trained to pilot the psychological therapies, said: "It generally not only improves the doctor-patient relationship but also helps the doctor to build the confidence of the patient to take more responsibility for caring for their problem."
Diabetes UK recently claimed that Northern Ireland is in need of a specific strategy to tackle the condition.
According to the charity, the number of people in the region diagnosed increased by eight per cent last year.
The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with diabetes
Leave a Reply