Policy makers
Influencing the decision-makers
In a world of competing healthcare agendas and contrasting social and economic priorities, convincing governments to address diabetes is a major challenge. Of the 200 or so countries in the world, less than 10 have national guidelines with clear recommendations on psychosocial diabetes care. Even where these guidelines exist, there is no guarantee that practice reflects theory; political support and investment in resources are essential.
Psychosocial guidelines - as systematic developed statements – can assist patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare providers and policy makers to decide about appropriate psychosocial treatment for specific circumstances.
A practical framework was described at the 3rd DAWN™ Summit to raise the political profile of an issue such as the need for changing how we care for diabetes:
- clearly define the urgency of the problem
- demonstrate a feasible, valid policy solution
- scan the broad political environment to effectively address the politics of the issue
DAWN™ gives governments new insights into how management of diabetes and prevention of complications can be achieved cost-efficiently by taking a patient-focused and holistic approach.
The UK and Germany are two examples of countries that have adopted patient-centred evidence-based guidelines. The continued involvement of all stakeholders through a common vision is vital to the successful implementation of such national guidelines.
Global Guideline for Type 2 Diabetes
The new global IDF Guideline for type 2 diabetes includes a section devoted to psychosocial care. International DAWN™ consensus meetings hosted by PSAD and IDF in 2004 and 2005 contributed to these guidelines and helped create strategies to implement the guidelines nationally. LINK: http://www.idf.org/node/1285?node=1457
