Do you think you should have looked after yourself better? - language and complications
Abstract
Background and Aims / Part 1
Do you think you should have looked after yourself better?’ For many people with diabetes, this question is posed once they are diagnosed with a diabetes-related complication, suggesting they are to blame.
Diabetes-related complications are a reality for many people living with diabetes. Attitudes that blame and shame people who have developed a complication are harmful and contribute to the stigma associated with living with diabetes.
The words and language used about diabetes-related complications often focus on prevention. This suggests that there is a guarantee to stop complications from happening and therefore, people with diabetes who do develop complications have not done enough
We believe that re-positioning the conversation to focus on risk reduction changes the conversation and will help people with diabetes feel less blamed if they do develop complications.
When we recalibrate the manner in which we speak about diabetes away from an emphasis on personal responsibility, we move from people feeling blame and guilt to feeling supported.
The stigma around such complications is significant and the blame and shame of poor language adds to this stigma. This session seeks to suggest alternative ways to speak about complications in a manner that will not scare, blame or shame people with diabetes. If people with diabetes are not comfortable talking about the more challenging aspects of diabetes, such as complications, they are less likely to access information or seek the swift treatment required for best outcomes. .
Methods / Part 2
This session seeks to suggest alternative ways to talk about complications with PWD in a manner that will not scare, blame shame them. If PWD are not comfortable talking about these things they are less likely to get the education that they need or see the swift treatment required.
Results / Part 3
More constructive conversations between PWD and HCP leading to better education and outcomes.
Conclusions / Part 4
Language Matters and can help with better outcomes for PWD.