PODIATRIST STRESSES PATIENT EDUCATION FOR DIABETICS

 

 

 

PODIATRISTS AND DIABETES
IL Podiatrist Stresses Patient Education for Diabetics
 
When people with diabetes come to me for the first time, "I teach them the importance of keeping their blood glucose under control through diet, checking their blood glucose, and exercise, as well as the importance of regular doctor visits and getting into the habit of checking their feet before they go to bed every night. I also show my patients gross pictures or point out the people who are in the waiting area in wheelchairs who have had amputations or other problems. It helps them understand what could happen, and it gives them a reason to take care of themselves," says Stepahnie Wu, DPM, a podiatrist and Associate Dean of Research, Associate Professor of Surgery at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, in Chicago.
 
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Dr. Stephanie Wu
 
 
"I don’t mean to scare them, but no one thinks anything is going to happen to him. Foot problems are like high blood pressure: There are no symptoms and no pain involved. People with high blood pressure don’t realize it’s causing a problem until they have a heart attack or stroke. Similarly, a patient of mine who works in a pizzeria stepped on a nail [but wasn’t in pain]. He thought he was too busy to take care of himself until it was too late. So, I tell my patients, “This can happen to you, but it doesn’t have to,” says Dr. Wu.
 
Source: Joy Pope, Diabetes Self Management [11/1/17] Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News.  Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toronto's Foot Clinic, Academy Foot and Orthotic Clinics.
 
 
 

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