The Taking Control of Your Diabetes conference was held on May 17th and was a huge success. This was the 11th time this all day conference has been held in Raleigh and is the only national conference that brings together PWDs (people with diabetes) and healthcare providers in an environment devised to learn about diabetes management from each other. This year there was a Type 1, Type 2 and, for the first time ever, a Professional track with renowned speakers including endocrinologist, founder and PWD, Dr. Steven Edelman and psychologist, Dr. William Polonsky, as well as several HCPs from the Raleigh area, and Branden Russell, a PWD with Type 1 from Team Novo Nordisk bike racing. There were several workshops, fitness sessions and vendors marketing their diabetes wares.
I chose to attend the professional track due to the great CEU value. Topics included a review of the oral medications and incretins available for treating Type 2 diabetes, including the new SGLT-2 inhibitors, Invokana and Farxiga, plus cutting-edge strategies for PWDs with Type 1 diabetes: MDI vs pump therapy, CGMs and Amylin. The part of the professional conference that I found most enlightening was Dr. Polonsky's talk about the psychology of diabetes and the difference between depression and diabetes related distress. My take away was that with depression the patient is unmotivated to care for their diabetes, but with DRD they are very motivated to manage their diabetes but feel powerless and hopeless. As diabetes educators, we can make a big difference with these patients by helping them to see any progress they have made, no matter how small, but most importantly, we need to focus on the patient's agenda, not our own. Ask the patient what they find most challenging about their diabetes management and what topics they want to focus on during an appointment.
My second role in attending the conference was to coordinate RNs and RDs experienced in diabetes self management to volunteer a couple hours of their time to help PWDs get answers to some of their questions at no charge. This part of the conference is called "Ask the Expert". Not only do diabetes educators volunteer their time but doctors and pharmacists also. Beside myself, 6 of our colleagues donated their time; Karolynn Barnhill, Brad Denmeade, Nancy Lelle-michel, Doris Welborn, Wendy Biermirth and Kristi Miller. Thank you all for your help in making the Ask the Expert portion so very successful and fun! This year we had a drawing for 3 diabetes related books. I phoned the winners today and they were all very excited and commented on how much they learned.
Finally, my favorite quote of the day was: "Well Controlled Diabetes is the cause of..... Nothing".
TCOYD comes to Raleigh every 2 years. I would encourage all of you to attend the next go round and consider being a part of the Ask the Expert experience.