Look Who's Talking

My initial plan for this editorial was to share my concern regarding the lack of inclusion of members of the diabetes team in the development and implementation of professional education programs. I was frustrated as I received symposia announcements surrounding the Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) meeting this summer.

The announcements came with enticing titles, such as “Improving Glucose Control: Breathing New Life Into Therapy for People With Diabetes” and “Exploring New Strategies for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Diabetes.” Yet, to my knowledge, only one corporate-sponsored symposium out of 32 included a nurse, dietitian, behaviorist, or pharmacist presenter.

Our corporate partners likely would say they are meeting the needs of their prescribers. But we all know that it takes more than a prescription to implement a new medication or treatment strategy. Frequently, other members of the health care team can, in fact, meet these needs as well as, if not better than, the physician speakers. Some of us do write prescriptions, and others encourage patients to ask questions about particular medications. Often, nurse coordinators have far more first-hand experience with patients and their responses to new medications or treatments than do physicians.

I would like to see the team more fully represented. There …