Patient Engagement in Type 2 Diabetes: Are We There Yet?

Objective: Provide clinical recommendations to help patients engage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self-care

Methods: Review current literature to understand patient engagement (PE) and utilize case examples to demonstrate PE in common scenarios regarding diabetes self-care.

Results: T2DM is a chronic, progressive, lifelong condition that is largely self-managed. While this condition is generally preventable and wholly treatable, it continues to have significant negative personal and public health impacts. People with T2DM often reject the presence of their condition partly due to the many myths that stigmatize the T2DM population. If a person acknowledges that they have diabetes, they frequently do not understand the gravity of their condition in the early stages, nor the difference early intervention makes. Accordingly, it is no surprise that there are low rates of adherence to T2DM treatment plans. This paper seeks to address a critical need for nuanced diabetes care and education.

Practice Implications: Evidence-based strategies to engage patients serve as a first step in self-care in patients with chronic disease conditions such as T2DM. PE starts with meeting the patient where they are. This includes asking questions about what the patient knows and expects regarding the self-management of diabetes in daily life. It also includes shared decision-making toward the development of patient-centered plans. With these steps, clinicians can build effective therapeutic relationships with their patients.