What do (or should?) you ask a person living with diabetes when interviewing them in a health care setting?

It’s not easy to know. Especially when the diabetes interview questions also need to be person/patient centric and allow for collaborative care! Oy…

Many moons ago, I wrote a blog post (that happens to still be my best performing blog post of all times!). Now, with much more experience and insight at hand, I feel it’s time to update the questions of the diabetes interview.

20 Diabetes Interview Questions

  1. Can you describe how you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
  2. What was your initial reaction to the diagnosis, and how did you feel emotionally?
  3. How have you been managing your blood sugar levels on a daily basis?
  4. What challenges do you face in managing your diabetes?
  5. How does diabetes affect your daily routine and lifestyle?
  6. Are you currently taking any medications for your diabetes? If so, how do you feel about them?
  7. How often do you monitor your blood glucose levels?
  8. Have you experienced any recent episodes of high or low blood sugar? Can you describe what happened?
  9. What dietary changes have you made since your diagnosis, and how do you find sticking to these changes?
  10. How do you balance your diet with your personal food preferences and cultural practices?
  11. Are you physically active? If so, what kind of exercise do you do, and how often?
  12. How does physical activity impact your blood sugar levels?
  13. How do you manage your diabetes when you are sick or under stress?
  14. Have you received education or support from healthcare professionals regarding your diabetes management?
  15. How do you feel about the support you receive from your healthcare team?
  16. Do you have any concerns about the long-term complications of diabetes?
  17. How do you manage your diabetes when you are traveling or away from home?
  18. What role do your family and friends play in your diabetes management?
  19. How do you handle social situations that involve food and drink, such as parties or dining out?
  20. Is there anything you wish you knew more about when it comes to managing your diabetes?

Which diabetes interview quesitons did I miss? If you are a health care professional, which questions do you think have the most impact? If you are a person living with Diabetes, which questions make you feel the most seen, heard and understood?

Let me know!