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VOLUME 8 NUMBER 4 • NOVEMBER 2011
DIABETES PERSONALITY
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
made’, as Christine believes that each patient is different and one can-
not use a standardised approach. ‘I can’t stress enough that ensuring
compliance takes time and requires ongoing support and motivation. The
support of a multidisciplinary team is essential to ensure this.’
An important aspect of the conversation on treatment is to dispel the
very human desire for a ‘quick fix’ and to ensure that patients make
peace with diabetes being a lifelong, chronic condition. ‘Acceptance
does not come instantaneously and it’s a long process.’ Christine ex-
presses concern about untested products available over the counter
that make claims to ‘cure’ diabetes. ‘When asked about these prod-
ucts, which usually also have the attraction of being cheaper than pre-
scription medication, I ask the patient what he/she really knows, what
research he/she has read, how does this product claim to work and
how do its claims align with what I’ve told him/her about diabetes and
its management. I never lose sight of how powerful marketing is in this
context’, she says.
Another particular challenge for Christine is counselling male diabetics
with erectile dysfunction. ‘It’s become easier over time but it was initially
very difficult for me, as an unmarried woman, to broach the subject. But
if I don’t ask, I cannot help. However, nowadays I explain exactly what
happens in the body and discuss treatment options before referring them
back to their doctor for medication.’
Like other DNEs, Christine’s greatest reward lies in seeing patients
become compliant and gain control over their condition. ‘One woman in
my support group – I’ll call her Mrs J – originally came to me in 2005.
She weighed 80 kg and was on oral antidiabetic medication. Today she
weighs 62 kg and is off the drugs, controlling her diabetes through a
healthy diet and regular exercise. She’s extremely motivated and even
accompanied me to the AGM of Diabetes SA this year. I’m so proud of her
and her commitment to her way of life. She’s also a great role model for
other diabetics and is only too happy to tell her own success story when
given the opportunity at support group meetings.’
Peter Wagenaar, Gauteng correspondent
Christine helps a young colleague get to grips with caring for patients with diabetes.
