Tell me you haven't experienced at least one of these scenarios when you see a GP:
You get told your (or your child's) HbA1c is too high;
You get told your (or your child's) HbA1c is too low;
You get diagnosed as type 2 for over a year because you're an adult, and so "can't possibly be type 1";
You need the form for your driver's licence signed, but get told that 2 hypos a week means you’re “unstable”.
It's no surprise then that one of the most common questions in our online communities is "Does anyone have any recommendations for a good GP that actually understands type 1?"
Although 'GP' is technically a medical specialty, by definition they are generalists. This means that they need to know a little bit about everything. So while we would love them to all be experts in type 1, it's just not feasible within the current medical system. Just because we can't make them experts in type 1 though, doesn't mean we can't give them enough knowledge to get the basics right. But we need your help to do it.
We're running a GP education evening in October: What your Type 1 Patients Want You to Know! Here's what it will look like:
Our very own Amy Rush, alongside an endocrinologist, will explain all things insulin and type 1 tech; who uses what, and why. We will also talk about the GP's role in your care, what they should know about your management, and what they should be doing in your appointments. They'll also leave wearing a Freestyle Libre, so they'll get to experience those delightful 2am compression lows! 😛
We're telling you about this so that you can tell your GP. We know that GP appointments can be frustrating, so we need you to take that frustration and channel it into action!
If you think your GP would benefit, then please share the event flyer (below) with them directly, or with their practice. A personal note from you will always help - something respectful that honours the contribution they make to your healthcare, but that also explains how them having more information about type 1 would be helpful to you.
Let's get GPs up to speed on type 1!
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