Removing barriers to insulin therapy

Diabetes educators recognize that addressing psychosocial needs is one of their key responsibilities. Understanding patient-oriented concerns is critical to helping patients overcome the psychological resistance to initiating insulin therapy. Calls for treating patients with insulin earlier in the course of type 2 diabetes to reach glycemic targets and improve long-term outcomes must be coupled with practical strategies for helping patients make the transition to insulin. This article identifies 10 reasons that patients resist starting insulin and presents strategies for supporting patients through the decision-making process. Because patients are often taught to fear insulin, an even more challenging imperative is to create a culture that is receptive to insulin therapy. As this article argues, diabetes educators are in a unique and powerful position to create and promote this cultural shift.