While this summer has certainly started out in a different nature than most, people are beginning to think about summer activities. As states and businesses open up post-COVID, people are itching to get out of the house and some are starting to travel.
Traveling for persons with diabetes takes a lot of extra thought and consideration. As healthcare providers, we have done a great job asking them if they have traveled recently, and now we need to focus on also asking if they plan to travel in the near future. This provides an opening into an important conversation about planning appropriately to make sure medications are refilled and packed in an easy-to-remember place to ensure adherence, possible fast-food and take-along meals/snacks are planned to meet dietary requirements and control glucose levels, and appropriate exercise is incorporated, among many other applicable topics.
For those of us not planning, or unable, to travel, this may give us a chance to travel vicariously through our patients! I hope everyone enjoys getting out and about as is safe and responsible for each individual! Yay for summer!
Take care,
Sarah Billings, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
MO Coordinating Body