[Patient with diabetes--from bystanders to contributors?].
130,000 persons in Norway have diabetes; the number is increasing. Diabetes is a disease with two faces: You can live a good life with diabetes, but you can also die from diabetes. Persons with diabetes are a resource for the health care system. They have an everyday competence that health care professionals do not have; they are their own health care providers on an everyday basis. The exchange of knowledge and experience taking place in consultations may result in a fruitful outcome if conducted in an atmosphere of equality. This requires a change of behaviour on the part of the physician, from that of a traditional doctor to that of a medical advisor or supervisor, from giving all the right answer to phrasing important questions. This may release and develop activity, a sharing of responsibilities, and an increase in the person's contributions to own health. The best diabetes care is created in a fruitful co-operation between public health care and diabetes associations. People with diabetes can be a resource or a burden to themselves, their families, the health care system and/or society: It all depends on how they are treated.
Allgot
B
B
Norges Diabetesforbund, Oslo. bjoernar.allgot@dianet.no
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012380:Role