Grand Rounds: Hospitals, Urgent Care And Initial Contact

Welcome back to the Juicebox Podcast for our 10th season! We’re kicking off with a new series called Grand Rounds, where Scott Benner and Jenny Smith aim to bridge the gap between clinicians and patients, especially those living with type 1 diabetes. Our goal is to ensure patients receive the care they deserve and to enlighten physicians about the nuances of diabetes they may not be aware of.

In this episode, we delve into the initial healthcare encounters for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, often occurring in urgent care or hospital settings. We discuss the critical role these first points of contact play in setting the trajectory for a patient’s long-term diabetes management. We emphasize the importance of providing accurate, foundational information without overwhelming or scaring patients, and the need for clear communication about the nature of diabetes as a condition that requires ongoing learning and adjustment.

We also touch on the challenges faced by adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, who may not receive immediate specialist care due to system constraints. The episode highlights the responsibility of emergency and urgent care staff to provide a good launchpad for patients, even if they can’t offer comprehensive diabetes education.

Lastly, we stress the importance of self-advocacy for patients, both in emergency situations and in managing their long-term care. We encourage patients to seek out resources, ask for specialist consultations when needed, and to be proactive in their diabetes education.