Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
WOW, 98% of diabetic patients think well of their healthcare provider. Sometimes, the healthcare providers learn from their patients too. So I always go to appointments with a list of questions seeking more knowledge. Sometimes they don’t have the answers, sometimes they do, but I appreciate the time they spend with me.
I do the same, Connie! To the question of the day, if I hear something I don’t understand, I ask. No stupid questions, only more knowledge…
I have an NP mainly for yearly bloodwork and prescription requests. I research and own everything I do for T1. I feel like half the time she doesn’t know what I’m talking about!
I answered yes. I also ask questions or restate the information in my own words to confirm understanding. I read for more information and a greater understanding. I have few trusted resources that I often rely on for accurate information.
I have come to believe that most providers tailor their language to the (perceived) understanding of the patient. I worked in hospitals for many years so I think I have a vocabulary that may be beyond my actual understanding at times. Providers may assume I have more knowledge than I do. I need to be careful not to nod and bluff my way through things I don’t understand so well. Often I don’t realize that I don’t understand until after the appointment.
Yes my PCP explain everything so I understand and yes he is also learning about my pump which is a ++for both of us
My previous endo was great! Sally (for me) she retired. I haven’t met my new endo yet so don’t know how communication will be.
Yes, in fact they talk down to me a little. I asked to speak to a nutritionist who said she wanted me to come to a group meeting. I told her no. By the end of our convo she agreed and said I could probably teach the class. When it means saving your own life, you tend to learn quick.
I think it depends on what “your healthcare provider” means. I have had doctors who are abysmal, but swiftly move on: I work with teams who treat me as a co-researcher. But outside the teams I control (control as in, I can move on) I find that too many providers of information are failing. Some by _not_ catering to those with a higher comprehension level. Others by not getting communication basics right. Today, for example, I have been trying to find advice on diet for a blind pre-diabetic (equivalent of what I can find online, let alone tailored to their other health issues which mean that my usual go-to recommendations for non-spiking snacks are ruled out. What this person needs is a dietician who understands blindness, not me.
My doc is a type 1 – he actually told me about this fabulous website – and he is so responsive. Whether its in person, or I pose a question or concern in the patient portal, he always gives me excellent direction. In addition, I have to say that even at times when I was down on myself for a too high A1c, he was kind and supportive. And he has been a cheerleader since it has been going down, down, down since I changed how and what I eat nearly two years ago. My last two visits, for the first time in my diabetic life (20+ years), my A1c was 7. (That may not be low for many of you, but consider that it was 13 before I got diagnosed.)
I never have any issues with communication with my medical team. If I don’t understand something, I just ask.