Stopping Diabetes Through Advocacy: The Role of Health Care Professionals

Abstract

G eralyn Spollett, President of Health Care and Education for the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is a busy nurse practitioner at a large New England medical school. Why did she cancel her patient hours to meet with training officers of a metropolitan police department? George Grunberger has a busy one-person diabetes private practice. As with most practicing physicians, his income depends on seeing patients. So what was he doing in a Washington, D.C., conference room discussing truck driver licenses on a busy weekday? “First of all, it gets me out of my office. I learn about new things, and the work is interesting and exciting,” Grunberger said. “Second, although much of it is pro bono , not all is. Consulting fees certainly make up much of the lost income from time away from the practice and broaden my business relationships. Third, my job as a physician and diabetologist is to help people with diabetes live their lives better. This is part of the job. If my patients are not able to work in their chosen professions, it directly affects their quality of life and, potentially, health insurance and ability to afford their diabetes supplies.” But, health care professionals (HCPs) do not have to give up office hours or travel to the nation's capital to be an effective advocate for their patients. There is a great deal we can do in our own hometowns. In the remainder of this article, the authors offer insights from their own experiences as advocates. Sam is a firefighter with type 1 diabetes in New York City, where I work. He was placed on desk duty and filed a suit against the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) for discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He was referred to me for an independent medical …