The New Year always brings with it resolutions. Some are simple, like eating less chocolate. Others are more complex and serious, such as losing weight and being healthier in general. These last two resolutions are made in earnest but are often difficult to honor. Temptation and poor will power are ever-present issues.

Those of us in health care can play an important role in helping people stay on track with the desire to improve their health. As optometrists, we frequently encounter patients with diabetes. The majority of diabetics are type 2, which is largely related to obesity, inactivity, and other life style factors. The optometrist may be the practitioner who diagnoses the diabetes because patients present to the office with complaints of blurry vision. Through the taking of a thorough medical history, it can be ascertained that the vision fluctuates from day to day or even within the same day. There may be complaints of increased thirst and urination, unusual fatigue, changes in hearing, etc. The ocular health assessment may reveal signs of diabetic changes in the retina in some of these previously undiagnosed patients. Patients described here need a complete physical with blood work -urgently.

For the new and the established diabetic patient alike, regular, comprehensive eye examinations will be necessary. Also, monitoring of blood sugar and weight will be required. The primary acre physician will set frequency based on the severity of the disease, as well as the compliance of the patient. These patients should also receive regular foot health assessments, dental examinations, and audiologic evaluations. Subtle changes in any of these areas could be signs of deleterious changes.

Thus, diabetes is one example of where the collaboration and coordination of many health care professionals is necessary in order to provide quality, on-going care for patients. Each team member should reinforce the need to keep up with diet, exercise, and monitoring. It also presents an opportunity to remind diabetic patients of the importance of timely eye, hearing, foot, and cardiac care.

An interprofessional approach to health care is the sound choice. The National Academies of Practice is the perfect organization to suggest policy initiatives and implement changes in order to accomplish this goal.

Image Credit: Vision Works