Dr. Smith is seeing Mrs. Deborah Tanner for routine follow-up. Labs done during last visit reveals a new diagnosis of diabetes. Dr. Smith has noted that Deborah has been losing weight and suspected diabetes. He has already formulated a care plan for her involving further testing, diet, and exercise.
Dr. Smith: “Do you remember we ran some tests on you last month?”
Mrs. Tanner: “Yes.”
Dr. Smith: “Your blood sugar was 344”?
Mrs. Tanner: “344? Is that bad?”
Dr. Smith: “ Yeah! I think you may have diabetes.”
Mrs. Tanner: “Diabetes? But I don’t even like sweets!”
Dr. Smith: “Yeah. I have ordered some other tests.”
Mrs. Tanner: “Does that mean insulin shots for the rest of my life?”
Dr. Smith (hurriedly): “Maybe…. I have ordered a Glucose Tolerance Test and….”
Mrs. Tanner (still in mild shock): “But no one in my family has diabetes.”
What was not addressed: “You have a life altering chronic illness. How are you reacting to this?”