32 Comments
From which healthcare provider do you receive the majority of your diabetes care?
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A physician’s assistant who specializes in diabetes.
Same here. There is no endocrinologist in my area.
I answered NP because I usually see my Endo’s NP. This month see the doctor as his NPs keep leaving. I rally liked the NP I had for years but she left after having second baby. Saw her replacement once but he is gone now. Been going to this office for over ten years so too complicated to change now. Truthfully I take care of own diabetes. Need them for scripts mostly and labs.
I answered endocrinologist, but honestly most of my questions and concerns are answered in my every-other-month calls with my diabetes educator! She’s terrific!
I marked endo but I mainly go only because my insurance demands twice yearly visits in order to fill my prescriptions. I would not go otherwise since, after 66 years, I feel I can take care of myself regarding diabetes. When I was younger I stopped going to doctors for about ten years and I did just fine.
My answer is really both. I see my Endo once a year and the other 3 times I see my PA. My Endo knows the physiological and the PA knows how to tweak the pump.
I answered Endo, however, if I don’t have one my primary care provider always “provides”.
I’ve seen 5 endocrinologists (their specialty is the endocrine system/hormones, not necessarily diabetes) one said I was too old to need insulin and lose more weight. Another just ran tests and sent me on the way, at least the last got me on a pump/CGM. The only efficient one was at those medical trials, he taught me a good bit. For now I’ve been seeing a general practitioner although that may change.
Am now retired and entering the VA health system, up to what’s required to follow up my care.
I answered NP as I see the nurse practitioner at my Endocrinologist practice.
I see a Nurse Practitioner, but she specializes in Type 1 Diabetes.
Endo, but no longer. I have been TID FOR 58 years, and waiting for his majesty the endo for three hours in the office only to gave him cancel 2 out of 4 appointments a year is ridiculous ver. At this point, there is nothing the endo can tell me. This kast year I had a new pump that turned out to be faulty and was replaced. The whole time, the endo told me it was my imagination. I have had 5 endos in my life and they are not worth the frustration, lack of knowledge and waste of time driving an hour to get there, wait 3 hours to see him and then drive home for an hour. I am sooo disappointed in the general lack of attention and knowledge on the oart of endos concerning T1D’s. I have no faith left and will just rely on my GP for insulin prescriptions and reports to Medicare. My hA1C is consistently around 5.7. I do this myself with great control.
I clicked “other” because I’m not sure what the person I see is. I go to the Endocrinology unit of a large hospital for quarterly visits. I always see a person who is an APRN, DNP. I have no idea what APRN means, but I believe the RN part means registered nurse. This hospital does not allow patients to select doctors or practitioners, the patient is assigned their health care providers. (This is a world renowned hospital).
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
A DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice, is a higher-education degree. Those who earn a DNP have completed the highest level of training in nursing practice. A DNP-prepared nurse has a deep knowledge of evidence-based care and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice. A nurse with a DNP degree can influence healthcare policies, take on administrative roles and provide clinical education for nursing programs. .
I have not found a competent endo doc for the last 15 years. Current one has a terrible staff which jeopardizes her reputation!
Although I see my endo regularly, I also use Your Diabetes Insider consultant Ben Tzeel. He is amazing and provided so much insight. I’ve had T1D for 45 years and thought I knew it all, but once I started working with Ben, I realized I didn’t.
I’ve been seeing the same endo for almost 30 years. There was one visit I had with a different endo when my insurance changed but then my insurance changed back. My endo is fabulous. He knows the pumps, knows their ins and outs, and ALWAYS talks to me like I’m a person.
I’m not sure the question really captures all the different types of “diabetes” care that some type 1’s require. In terms of how insulin is absorbed relative to what I eat and how much, my endo provides most information. In terms of exercise, how much cardio and strength training I need for my organs to stay healthy given that I take insulin, my trainer would be the provider of that information. Examining the minerals, vitamins and how my body processes the food that I need (macros, sensitivities etc…) given the exercise that I preform, my functional physician is my go to provider. Each has a role to play in my diabetes care.
I’ve seen an Endocrinologist off and on my whole adult life but now I see only my knowledgeable Primary Care Physician. I study many aspects of my T1D and only see an Endocrinologist when a specific test needs to be run. My last three A1C tests have been 5.7 to 6.1.
Tom R
I use my GP because I’ve found (from experience) that endo’s seem to be useful only for those who can’t or won’t manage their diabetes well. I get better/more information from the web. If I could find a knowledgeable endo who was a Type I diabetic themselves I might consider it — I truly believe it takes one to know one with this medical problem.
The majority of my care comes from my certified diabetes educator who n is bc also a nurse practitioner at my local endocrinology office. I’ve found my diabetes nurses are often a bit more tech savvy and better able to give helpful advice on pump/CGM adjustments..
Since 2006 I’ve been under the care of an endocrinologist. The first one for 10 years until insurance coverage changed. The current one for the past 9 years. For the quarterly Medicare required appointments I alternate between the endo and the diabetes educator. They’re both very knowledgeable about all of the tech devices and treat me as a whole person, not just a disease with a number.
I see my endo more than my CDE, but my CDE provides the most valuable care/ recommendations/ suggestions for optimizing my BG control
My diabetes care has mainly been self inflicted. I’ve been a pharmacist-CDE for about 35 years. In Canada insulin, pumps and most diabetic products are nonprescription so it is very easy to try new insulins, cgms and pumps.
My Endocrinologist actually has a team. I receive care from Dr, educators, nursed and dietitian. Very awesome care!
Nurse
My Endo and I “just click”, I am her “Pump Poster Boy” and she Fine Tunes my Numbers, last A1c’s were 5.4 and 5.6
I don’t actually see her. We have phone appts.
I see my assigned endocrinologists PA. He is more knowledgeable and understanding about trying to live a normal life with T1D. The one and only time I actually saw my endo, he tried to make me change everything about myself, instead of working with me. I will keep seeing the PA as long as I can.
I was originally diagnosed as T2 because I was over 40 and still produced _some_ insulin. I received care from my GP then. It was, however, a misdiagnosis and I am now properly diagnosed as T1 and receiving care from an Endo.
I have been using an Endo. for many years, but he has a CDE staff that I see at least 3 hour’s a year. (Medicare)
I do not use an endo though I am in good shape. I was finally able to find an Internal Medicine MD (with a focus on diabetes) that was willing to be both my PCP and Diabetes doc. I see her annually for T1D and general health. Otherwise we communicate via My Chart. She follows my lead on how to write my prescriptions for pump and insulin supplies which is simply fabulous and has made life easier.