Being told you have type 2 diabetes by your GP can come as a shock. Diabetes educator Dr CHARLOTTE ROWLEY outlines your next steps.
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, your GP may not always have time to explain what diabetes is, how it comes about or what the diagnosis means for you going forward. Once you’ve wandered out of your doctor’s office in a stunned daze, you may be thinking, “So…what now?”
It’s easy to go home and immediately start researching your condition online, but this can lead you down a confusing path full of contradictions.
So, let’s talk about your next steps, including where to find reliable information and the additional support you need.
Step 1: Understanding type 2 diabetes
You’re the person who will be living with diabetes every day, so learning about what has changed in your body will help you to understand your symptoms and what actions to take to look after yourself.
Having some knowledge about your condition will help you to participate in informed discussions with your medical team about treatment options and what is and isn’t working.
You don’t need to become a medical expert, but improving your understanding of type 2 diabetes will help you take an active role in your own care.
Diabetes WA has a range of resources to help you learn more.
The Diabetes WA Helpline. Our Helpline is here for any general diabetes questions you might have and can point you in the right direction for your next steps. Staffed by qualified diabetes educators, we take calls from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Your diabetes educator is a health professional with a specific focus on diabetes care and is the best person to support your understanding of diabetes.
Unlike a GP appointment, your appointment with a diabetes educator may be up to an hour long, giving you plenty of time to ask questions, review your understanding and plan your next steps.
Diabetes educators come from a range of health backgrounds – they may be nurses, podiatrists, dietitians, pharmacists and exercise physiologists. You may wish to look for someone with a background in an area you want additional support with.
Diabetes WA runs a clinic, either in person or via Telehealth, if you want more individualised clinical support from our team of diabetes educators.
We offer a range of educational programs. These are fantastic for getting a good understanding of diabetes and what steps you might take to help manage your diabetes
You can join free in-person events, such as the DESMOND program (a full-day education session about all the basics of diabetes management) and Beat It, which is an eight-week exercise and lifestyle program.
To access programs and support, you’ll need to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS.) Your GP, nurse practitioner or diabetes educator can sign you up. The NDSS website has a range of written information to help you understand diabetes, as well as webinars, courses, podcasts and more.
Step 2: Your care plan
Once you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your GP can organise a care plan appointment for you. Care plans are for people with a chronic medical condition who will benefit from support from additional medical professionals.
You will receive referrals for up to five one-to-one health professional appointments, rebated by Medicare.
Through your care plan, you can see a range of professionals, including diabetes educators, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, podiatrists, Aboriginal health practitioners and mental health practitioners.
You may already have a care plan in place for another health condition, in which case you won’t be able to access additional rebated appointments. You’ll need to consider all your health conditions when deciding which appointments you would like referrals for.
I recommend that you do some research into the services in your area and choose ones that most align with your needs and preferences. You may also want to call them to enquire about their process with care plans.
Funding your care
These appointments may be bulk billed, but this depends on the service and the provider. For example, if you have a care plan and see a junior podiatrist, they may bulk bill. But if you see a diabetes educator for an hour, or a senior podiatrist for more complex issues, it is unlikely they will be able to bulk bill. Be aware of this before booking your appointment.
Additionally, if you have private insurance, it’s worth checking which services are covered and use your care plan appointments strategically, as you may get more money back from your provider than from Medicare.
For example, very few private health funds provide any cover for diabetes education services, but Medicare will. Therefore, if you wanted to see a dietitian and a diabetes educator, you may be better having all your diabetes education appointments rebated under your care plan and claiming your dietetic appointments through your private health fund.
Unique to people living with type 2 diabetes, your care plan gives a rebate for up to 12 group sessions, usually held by local exercise physiologists or physiotherapists. Group education programs offered by the NDSS and Diabetes WA, such as DESMOND, are completely free to attend, so you don’t need to use your group session rebates for these services.
Lastly, if you are living rurally, and there are limited options for diabetes education or dietetic services in your area, Diabetes WA offers telehealth services that are fully covered by Western Australian Country Health Service, with no charge.
Again, this is something to consider in your care plan, as you may prefer to see a telehealth diabetes educator through Diabetes WA, leaving your five individual care plan appointments for other services. Your GP may not be familiar with this option, but you can let them know at your care planning appointment.
Step 3: Ongoing management and annual care
Now that you’ve developed a good understanding of your condition, and you’re linked up with the right health professionals, your next step is to take action to improve your health. This will look different for everyone – some people may want to change their dietary habits, others increase exercise or reduce stress – the list goes on.
Regular check-ups are part of your self-care and can help you to live well with diabetes. See your GP at least annually to get some basic blood and urine tests to monitor your blood glucose levels, cholesterol, liver function and kidney health.
This ensures that if you are getting a little off track, you can reassess your management strategies and adjust accordingly. Your GP may ask you to have more frequent blood tests if your blood glucose levels are unstable, or you are making lifestyle changes or changing medications.
Additionally, you should see the following health professionals soon after diagnosis for a baseline assessment, and then on a regular basis:
| Health professional | Frequency of appointments (if no issues) |
| Podiatrist | Annually |
| Dentist | Every 6 months |
| Diabetes educator | Annually |
| Optician | Every 2 years |
Hopefully, after reading this you have a clearer path forward, but to recap, here are your next steps:
- Research type 2 diabetes and understand what is going on in your body.
- Book in for a care plan appointment with your GP (and research the options in your area.)
- Book in to see the dentist, podiatrist and optician, plus any other health professionals you feel would benefit you.
- After talking with your health professionals, decide on the best treatment strategies for your situation and lifestyle.
Do you have any questions? Talk to us
If you need support in finding health professionals in your area, or you have any other questions about your diabetes diagnosis, call the Diabetes WA.
We’re here for you from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday on 1300 001 880, so give us a call!
