Why psychosocial care matters

What is psychosocial care?

Person-centered psychosocial care aims to identify, and support patients in dealing with, the complex social, behavioral, and emotional factors that can impact on their wellbeing, self-management, and disease outcomes.
Key concerns in diabetes include diabetes distress, disordered eating, and inconsistent medication-taking.

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To mark 25 years of the EASD’s Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes study group, we highlight the critical role of psychosocial issues in the care of people with diabetes, look at the latest knowledge in key areas, and explore their impact on clinical care in a series of interviews and podcasts.

Podcast series

Episode 1

Why psychosocial care matters: The role of the PSAD

To begin our podcast series marking the 25th anniversary of the PSAD, we talk to founder Frank Snoek about its history and achievements, and the changing profile of psychosocial research in diabetes care.

Episode 2

Why psychosocial care matters: Diabetes distress

William Polonsky talks about how diabetes distress affects the wellbeing and glucose management of people with diabetes, and what healthcare professionals can do to help.

Episode 3

Why psychosocial care matters: The psychological impact of hypoglycemia

Christel Hendrieckx talks about the psychological consequences of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes.

Episode 4

Why psychosocial care matters: Considerations when working with people using diabetes technology

Thomas Kubiak discusses the psychosocial considerations when working with people using diabetes technology to manage their diabetes.

Episode 5

Why psychosocial care matters: Optimal medication taking in diabetes

Kirsty Winkley discusses why people with diabetes can find it so challenging to take medications optimally and consistently, and what healthcare providers can do to help.

Episode 6

Why psychosocial care matters: Disengagement with diabetes

William Polonsky returns to discuss the problem of people being disengaged with their diabetes, why this issue is so critical yet remains so understudied, and what healthcare professionals can do in the clinic to encourage engagement.

Episode 7

Why psychosocial care matters: Supporting people with diabetes in the pandemic

Health psychologist Michael Vallis talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with diabetes, and how clinicians can help.

Views from the clinic

We asked Irl Hirsch (Professor of Medicine, WA, USA), Chantal Mathieu (Professor of Medicine, Belgium), and David Maahs (Professor of Pediatrics, CA, USA) why psychosocial care matters?

25-08-2020 | Psychosocial care | Video | Article

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