ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a progressive disease; it requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment of lifestyle choices, medications and insulin doses. A well-informed person managing their diabetes on a day-to-day basis is in a better position to monitor and make timely management changes than a provider who only interacts with a patient periodically. Empowering a patient for ongoing self-management is not difficult. The biggest barrier is usually the provider struggling to give up a position of control. This chapter demonstrates to the reader that, if appropriate supports are provided, essentially all people with diabetes can self-monitor their disease and make management adjustments so their blood sugar control continues to stay on course. To be successful, three principles need to be followed: ensure there is opportunity for ongoing education; put ‘supports’ and ‘safety nets’ in place, so that both the patient and the provider know the patient is safe; and, finally, hand over the controls. Explanations supported by clinical cases are provided to help the reader successfully implement each principle.
