In this blog, Michelle talks about the impact of stigma and living with diabetes, and how nurses need to be aware of their role and how they can get involved.
Stigma is alarmingly prevalent within our diabetes communities. Recent research reveals that 89% of people living with diabetes have experienced stigma.
Diabetes stigma is a societal issue that can lead individuals to internalise negative beliefs about themselves, adversely affecting their self-care. This stigma is endemic in society, particularly evident in social media portrayals of people living with or at risk of diabetes. For example, a Daily Mail headline in June 2024, “Laziness puts nearly 13 million Brits at risk of diabetes and other long-term conditions.”
The impact of stigma on diabetes management
Nearly 60% of people with diabetes believe their high blood glucose levels are solely due to their own “bad” management. Often, individuals with sub-optimal treatment regimes feel they are to blame, despite the inadequacy of these regimes to suit their lifestyles. As healthcare professionals (HCPs), we can address clinical inertia through personalised care and collaborative working.
Read more on the original article : https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/Blogs/discrimination-and-stigma-within-the-diabetes-community
Comments