SETTING: General Practice Surgery
DOCTOR: You see a 38-year-old patient whose routine blood tests have confirmed a new diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c 59 mmol/mol). The patient has no other medical history and is not on any medication. He/she has come in to discuss the results.
TASK:
• Find out what the patient understands about the result. Find out any concerns.
• Give the diagnosis and explain what Type 2 diabetes is (e.g., how insulin works, what raised blood sugar means, etc.).
• Reassure patient about complications (e.g., complications are not inevitable with good management; lifestyle changes make a significant difference, etc.).
• Outline management (e.g., diet, exercise, possible medication if needed; referral to diabetes nurse, etc.).
• Explore patient's concern about driving (e.g., DVLA notification; licence usually retained with tablet-controlled diabetes, etc.). Explore any other concerns. Outline next steps (e.g., follow-up blood tests, diabetes education programme, dietitian referral, etc.).