Family counselling for diabetics
dubai — The Dubai Diabetes Centre (DDC) has begun family counselling services for its patients.
Mohammed Belal Al Shamma, consultant endocrinologist, said: “People with diabetes are recognised as having an increased risk of depression. It is estimated that 20 per cent of diabetics have depression, which can also make diabetes management a more difficult task. Therefore, the move to provide individual, couples and family counselling in the same centre helps ensure compliance to treatment and improves patient outcomes.”
It is estimated that in the UAE, one in five people are diabetic and another one in five are pre-diabetic. Al Shamma said: “Since the start of this centre in 2007, we have come a long way in ensuring that we provide specialised multidisciplinary services to people with diabetes under one-roof. At the centre, we provide international levels of care and have specialists such as nurse educators, dieticians, podiatrists, exercise therapists and retinal camera technicians. The centre also has a paediatric endocrine clinic that comprises of a paediatric endocrinology, nurse educator and dietician specially trained to handle paediatric cases.”
Alaa Abu Ali, social counsellor at the DDC, said that the addition of individual counselling services will help both patients and their
People with diabetes are recognised as having an increased risk of depression. Therefore, the move to provide individual, couples and family counselling in the same centre.” Mohammed Belal Al Shamma, consultant endocrinologist, DDC
family members cope better with the diagnosis and ensure their emotional wellbeing.
“Diabetes can be overwhelming at times, and this is particularly the case for many pediatric patients and their families. Often parents and children with diabetes are overwhelmed because they have so many factors to consider. They need to consider factors such as school schedules, other activities, food and the effect of these factors on glucose levels.
“Additionally, children also worry about making friends, fitting in, and worry about how they will play sports and do other activities without letting diabetes get in the way of their day-to-day life. Counselling helps patients cope with their emotions and anxieties so that they stay on track with their health and comply with the treatment plans that are chalked out for them.”
Abu Ali added that children with diabetes are prone to developing dysfunctional eating patterns and therefore the dietetic and the counselling departments closely coordinate and work together in such cases.
At a later stage, the centre will look into forming support groups for children and teenagers with diabetes. In terms of adult patients, Ali added that there is a need for more awareness for adult patients to understand the importance of counselling and accept it because there is still a lot of stigma associated with counselling.
“We find that while parents willingly bring their children for counselling, adult patients often are more resistant. We ensure they are aware that counselling is confidential and we advocate that counselling is not only needed in chronic psychological conditions but is useful in simple situations such relationship management, treatment adherence, motivation and coping mechanisms, stress management and to better day-to-day living.”