Overcoming psychological insulin resistance: A practical guide for healthcare professionals

Frank J. Snoek, Lawrence Fisher, William H. Polonsky, Heather Stuckey, Danielle Hessler, Tricia Tang, Norbert Hermanns, Xavier Mundet, Maria Silva, Jackie Sturt, Kentaro Okazaki, Irene Hadjiyianni, Urvi Desai, Magaly Perez-Nieves

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/Letter to the editorAcademic

Abstract

Despite the demonstrated benefits of using insulin, nearly a third of the patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are initially reluctant to initiate insulin therapy when it is first recommended by their healthcare provider (HCP). Several studies have documented the reasons for this phenomenon known as psychological insulin resistance (PIR) and also identified actionable strategies for HCPs to assist people with T2D to overcome their PIR. However, most strategies are based on the experiences of HCPs, rather than of patients. Based on findings from a study exploring real-world patient experience around HCP actions for mitigating PIR, we suggest that HCPs use collaborative strategies throughout the course of T2D treatment to 1) explore reasons for PIR, 2) help patients overcome PIR, and 3) follow-up regarding experience with insulin.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)619-621
Number of pages3
JournalPrimary care diabetes
Volume15
Issue number3
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Patient-provider relationship
  • Psychological insulin resistance

Cite this