Doctors at Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai have finished training
300 people to work as community diabetes doctors, nurses and
volunteers after a successful trial in four neighborhood health
centers.
"We also started a three-year research program on diabetes
treatment and education to work out a practical and useful method
to help patients effectively control diabetes," said Dr Zhao Liebin
from Ruijin Hospital's diabetes center.
Under the program, community doctors encourage patients to keep
a diary on his or her diet, blood-sugar levels and exercises for
individual attention.
"Usually, many patients avoid a rich dinner and go all the way
to a big hospital for one blood test in the early morning. Such
results can't show a patient's actual situation, due to the effects
of being nervous in a crowded hospital," Zhao said.
"We want patients to lead a normal life and check their blood
sugar regularly at home or at a neighborhood health center to
reflect their actual status. A diary is the most important and
helpful for doctors to give prescriptions for living well."
Doctors said patients should ideally check their blood sugar
after breakfast, lunch and supper at home with a blood glucose
meter.
(Shanghai Daily June 21, 2007)