June 12, 2017
4 min watch
Save

VIDEO: Health care disparities in diabetes require action from providers, patients

SAN DIEGO — In this video exclusive, Harsimran Singh, PhD, a health psychologist and a clinical research scientist at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, describes two important ways to address health care disparities among different patient populations with diabetes. 

Much has been written about the problem of health disparities, said Singh, who condenses solutions into two insights — one for the diabetes provider team and one for patients. First, the diabetes team should realize that quality time spent with patients up front pays off in the long run with reduced readmission rates and fewer clinic visits later.

Second, patients should actively voice their needs as these relate to diabetes management, whether in terms of preferred foods or ability to maintain a certain drug regimen or health insurance restrictions.

“I think that’s the moment you stand up and say, ‘That won’t work for me’ and ‘I need other choices,’” Singh said.