Mr. Graff et al., How diabetes specialists treat their own diabetes: Findings from a study of the AADE and ADA membership, DIABET EDUC, 26(3), 2000, pp. 460-467
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine how diabetes specialists
, who themselves have diabetes, manage their own care.
METHODS An independent research organization fared anonymous, 1-page survey
s to all professional members of the American Association of Diabetes Educa
tors (AADE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) who had valid fax n
umbers. Only those individuals with diabetes were asked to fill out and ret
urn the survey.
RESULTS Of the 12 525 surveys that were distributed 802 (6.4%) were returne
d The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in this sample was estimated to be 13 t
imes higher than in the general US population, whereas the prevalence of ty
pe 2 diabetes was 42% to 54% lower. Of the respondents with type 1 diabetes
, most (96%) practiced intensive treatment regimens, and more than half use
d an insulin infusion pump.
CONCLUSIONS Diabetes specialists treat their own diabetes according to curr
ent standards of medical care, with insulin pumps being the preferred metho
d of insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes in this sample. Knowing that exper
ts almost universally practice intensive treatment regimens may be a powerf
ul motivator for patients and sends a strong message to primary care provid
ers and payers regarding the need for treating diabetes according to curren
t standards of care.