Tag Archives: dsma

September DSMA Blog Carnival: Are you listening, Doc?

September 30, 2013 – 9:17 am

September’s DSMA Blog Carnival topic goes back to the August 7th #DSMA Twitter chat, where we discussed online interactions between patients, healthcare professionals, and others. So ask yourself:

Assuming online interactions with HCPs become a “mainstream” thing, what would you like those conversations to be about?

I remember this chat. There was a lot of talk about what we share, how much we share, and how comfortable (or uncomfortable) we all were with sharing information online.

So first, let me restate something I mentioned that night: If you’re posting something in an online forum, you need to be comfortable with the fact that anyone (and everyone) can view it and respond. If we get comfy with that idea, it makes it easier when online interactions do (or will) occur. Oh, and remember: Those interactions may happen online, or they may happen the next time you see the person you’re interacting with offline.

That has certainly happened in my case. I have had interactions with my endocrinologist based on things written on my blog. In fact, we discuss (briefly) my blog during every appointment. Again, I brought up the blog during an appointment about six months after I started it. I had to be comfortable with the fact that she could say anything she wanted about it before I could let her know. Freedom to say whatever you want goes both ways, you know?

Anyway, this isn’t about the conversations I do have. It’s about the kind of conversations I would like to have online with my healthcare professionals. Okay… So let’s say those conversations happen online.

I would really like it if those online conversations wouldn’t be entirely online (there I go again). I still believe there is great value in face-to-face, in person meetings with my doctors. But I definitely see great possibilities in online conversations too, and I would like them to be like the conversations about my blog that I have with my endocrinologist: I want them to be an extension of the doctor-patient relationship. Not the entire relationship, but rather an addition to what we already have.

I think it would also be helpful if a doctor and patient could share important information during a critical phase in care. For instance, when a patient starts on an insulin pump the first time, how great would it be if the patient could get online feedback from their doctor to help them with questions and adjustments? How helpful would it be for a doctor to get online feedback from the patient on their CGM data after the doctor updates a patient’s basal rates or changes their insulin?

And what about support? I’m talking about support that a healthcare professional can give that lets a patient know that they recognize the effort that’s being made to manage diabetes on a daily basis. Support from a doctor could be worth its weight in gold to a patient who’s struggling, and all it costs is the time spent on an e-mail or a blog comment. I think a lot of patients would find that kind of interaction priceless.

Honestly, with examples like that, I don’t see why more online interactions aren’t taking place already. Overly optimistic? Maybe. I’m just talking about the kind of interactions I’d like everyone to have with their HCPs.

Remember: If you’re going to post something online, make sure you’re comfortable with getting feedback about it. But if you are ready for the online conversation to be two-way, here’s hoping your discussion is helpful and supportive.

This post is my September entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival. If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetescaf.org/2013/09/september-dsma-blog-carnival-3/
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in DSMA Blog Carnival | Also tagged , | Comments (0)

About that #DSMA Philadelphia meetup.

August 13, 2013 – 9:51 am

DSMA Philly

Since I’m back from vacation, and I finally have wi-fi access for the first time in almost a week, I should probably talk about the DSMA Live and DSMA Twitter chat that happened last Wednesday night in Philadelphia. I have never been in a room with even half as many adults with diabetes as I was that night. It was a pretty incredible experience.

At some point, I guess I’ll probably get used to being in rooms with other adults with diabetes. I haven’t gotten to that point yet. It’s weird because I’m almost never in a room with other PWDs. When I am, it’s wonderful because it’s empowering and uplifting and informative all at the same time. So it’s weird and wonderful.

That kind of environment is a by-product of what Cherise Shockley and Scott Johnson bring to the table with their efforts to bring people together and share how important it is to engage in discussions with others like ourselves. It’s the kind of quality that’s not easily defined, but is special and necessary at events like this. Sort of a “you know it when you see it” kind of thing.

I got a chance to meet a few people I hadn’t met before, and a few that I had met before. It was very nice seeing Molly McElwee Malloy, research coordinator at University of Virginia’s Center for Diabetes Technology. She’s also a Certified Diabetes Educator and an RN. She’s a Type 1 too, so it’s interesting to talk to someone who knows so much and lives with diabetes like I do. She made some great points during the podcast. I loved hearing Allison Nimlos talk about the Paleo diet, and I got a couple of great ideas for starter books. I’m not thinking of going totally Paleo, but I’d like to try it out, at least, because it really does appeal to me. And most diets don’t. Kelly Kunik was very kind and gracious, and we talked briefly about her talented niece, who is doing great. I didn’t get a chance to tell her that my nephew has done fantastic since living with us for a couple of years, and our niece is growing every day since moving in with us two years ago. I got to meet Colleen Gray, who is very nice and seems to have a great sense of humor. There was also Maria Qadri and Penny too, both of whom are great to follow on Twitter because they’re very witty and smart. And I got to meet Brea, a Best of the ‘Betes Blogs winner from last month who has a great story to tell, and tells it greatly.

You know, I didn’t think I had met too many people Wednesday until I read what I just wrote. But it appears that I did. It’s always great to put a face with a name, or vice versa. Mostly, it was great hearing the diversity of voices in the room.

How was it being in the room while DSMA Live and the Twitter chat were occurring at the same time? Honestly, it was a little hard to concentrate on one without losing track of the other. But after a while, I was able to handle it, I think. And honestly, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I vote for Cherise and Scott to do this every week in front of hundreds or thousands. How cool would that be?

I’m so grateful to Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation and Roche for hosting this special happening close enough that I could attend. This also brought home to me the idea that I really need to find a way to do a live meetup of my own locally. Don’t know if I can pull it off yet, but this event definitely put it at the forefront of my mind again. And I have to admit: Even though it will be just a virtual meetup, I’m looking forward to this Wednesday too.
 
 
P.S. If you missed the original podcast, you can listen to it now by going to blogtalkradio.com and searching for DSMA Live, or by clicking here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/diabetessocmed/2013/08/08/dsma-live-in-philly
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Events, Social Media | Also tagged , , | Comments (7)

Yay Vacation! On to Philly for #DSMA, then Ohio.

August 7, 2013 – 10:51 am

I’m on vacation! It has been a long time since I’ve taken consecutive days off, and I’m starting six days off that will take myself and The Great Spousal Unit first to Philadelphia, then to Cincinnati, where my father-in-law turns 80 this weekend.

First, I’m going to Philadelphia to see the #DSMA Live and #DSMA Twitter Chat happening Wednesday night. I’m hoping I can connect and re-connect with people I admire, some of whom I haven’t met yet. And I’m excited to see the DSMA Live podcast happening at the same time of the Twitter chat (this is a first for DCAF). If you’re in person, everything starts at 8:00 p.m. EDT. If you’re tuning in to the podcast and/or participating in the Twitterage, everything starts at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

If you’re not able to be there, you can listen in on the podcast by clicking here.

If you’re interested in participating in the Twitter chat (and who isn’t?), this is a good place to go for participation and to keep up on the fastest hour of the week.

Oh… and did you know that Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation has a new website? It looks fantastic, and you should check it out! Instead of looking for Diabetes Social Media Advocacy, go to http://diabetescaf.org

dsma-social-meetup

Looking forward to connecting with you, either in person, via the podcast, or by Twitter Wednesday night. And I hope the rest of your week is super too.
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Social Media | Also tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Happy #BlueFridays to you.

July 26, 2013 – 9:47 am

Happy Blue Friday!!!

DSC00947

Okay, I totally stole this idea from Alecia over at SurfaceFine, who posted a photo of her blue boots.

It’s Friday, and for me and for everyone living with diabetes, I’m wearing blue today. Back in 2010, Cherise Shockley of Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation and DSMA Twitter Chat fame decided to ask everyone to wear blue on Friday to show support for people living with and affected by the big D. The idea caught on, and three years later, it’s still going strong. A giant blue wave, if you will. I was a little late to the party, but now I’m one of a zillion people out there sporting the blue and raising awareness. To find out more, click on the photo above to go to the Blue Fridays page at Diabetes Social Media Advocacy, or visit the Blue Fridays page on Facebook.

The Great Spousal Unit bought me these retro sneakers for Christmas last year. When she asked me what color I liked, you better believe I said blue right away.

Is it wrong to look at something in blue and wonder how you’d look wearing it on a Friday? I think not. #MakesSenseIfYouHaveDiabetes

Enjoy your weekend!
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , | Comments (5)

Like These Links – Provide Support – Participate – Do Good.

July 10, 2013 – 9:54 am

You may have heard about all of these already. But just in case you haven’t, be sure to lend your support, learn, and participate in all of these initiatives:
 
 
Scott Johnson has made it to the semifinals(!) of the 2013 Insulindependence Athletic Achievement Awards contest. He needs your help to make it to the finals. Each unique view of the video below means another vote for Scott in his quest to win a $5,000 package of support for his future athletic endeavors. So view it on your desktop, your laptop, your iPad, your smart phone, and all of the PCs in the school library. And don’t forget to share this with your friends too. Scott’s an inspiration to everyone (myself most definitely included), so show your support by viewing today.


 
 
Now… A reminder to Strip Safely. Glucose meter and test strip accuracy is a big issue, and there’s a DOC initiative to do something about it. I invite you to go to www.stripsafely.com (or click on the image below) and take the quiz. Then do something about it, including writing your elected officials in Washington and telling everyone about it. Tell everyone about it. Because our lives depend on it. More to come on this issue, in this space soon.
StripSafely
 
 
Finally… If you live on the USA’s east coast, you’re invited to join the #DSMA party in Philadelphia on August 7th. That’s during the time that the AADE convention is taking place there. Cherise and Scott will be hosting DSMA Live, and since it’s a Wednesday, I suppose there will be some #DSMA Twitter Chat going on in person too (is that a thing?) Here’s the information:
DSMA
 
 
Get involved now… Happy Hump Day!
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Like these links | Also tagged , , , | Comments (1)