Luke Gilbert
Pronouns: He, Him
Research Mentor(s): Kevin Joiner
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Dept of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences / Nursing
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Luke Gilbert, Kevin Joiner
Abstract
Adults with type-2 diabetes endure diabetes-stigmatizing language used by healthcare providers. This language can be hurtful and sometimes lead people with diabetes to avoid care, which can contribute to their risk of developing chronic complications. We gathered information to inform a pilot of the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention we developed to decrease the use of diabetes-stigmatizing language in healthcare providers. We conducted a Community Engagement (CE) Studio through the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) to gather information from people with type-2 diabetes. In the CE Studio, people with type-2 diabetes volunteered to share their experiences regarding interactions with healthcare providers and how diabetes-stigmatizing language might make a person with diabetes feel. The information that the people with diabetes in the CE Studio shared with us will help us to develop a standardized patient scenario for the pilot. Three themes emerged from the CE Studio. First, people with diabetes are reluctant to tell healthcare providers how they feel about diabetes-stigmatizing language for fear of being “fired” by healthcare providers. Second, when healthcare providers use language free from diabetes stigma, they appreciate it. Third, people with diabetes see improving providers’ awareness of diabetes-stigmatizing language as a valuable contribution to diabetes care. In conclusion, addressing the use by healthcare providers of diabetes-stigmatizing language is an approach that we expect will empower adults with diabetes and improve outcomes.
