Diabetes educator TARA SAVAGE introduces LISTEN – our new free program to support the emotional health of people with diabetes.
People living with diabetes are encouraged to self-manage their diabetes to remain healthy and prevent diabetes-related complications.
However, the constant and ongoing decisions about foods, activity, medications, glucose levels and medical appointments can lead to people feeling overwhelmed, and around a third of people living with diabetes will develop significant diabetes distress. (1)
To address the known emotional challenges that people experience when living with diabetes, the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), in partnership with Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University, developed the LISTEN program (Low-Intensity Support To ENhance emotional well-being for people with diabetes).
LISTEN uses an evidence-based, practical and step-wise problem-solving intervention called Problem Solving Therapy (PST). Working with a trained LISTEN facilitator, participants are guided through a six-step problem-solving process.
- Define the problem.
- Set an achievable goal.
- Brainstorm solutions.
- Choose a solution.
- Create an action plan.
- Evaluate the outcome.
An 18-month trial of LISTEN, where 216 people living with both type 1 and 2 diabetes participated in the program, showed a significant reduction in diabetes distress and an overall increase in diabetes self-management. These results were sustained at the six-month checkpoint. (2)
Patients enrolled in the program are offered between one and four, 45- to 60-minute sessions via telehealth with a trained LISTEN facilitator. Both metro and regional people living with diabetes can participate and, as is it fully funded, the program is free.
How do I know if my patient is experiencing diabetes-related emotional challenges?
Patients may not always realise that they are experiencing diabetes distress, or they may not realise it is common among people living with diabetes. Acknowledging that diabetes distress is a defined emotional challenge can reassure your patient that they are not the only one finding the condition demanding.
Some of the signs that a person is experiencing diabetes-related emotional challenges can include:
- Less healthy eating habits.
- Feelings of guilt about eating the ‘wrong’ foods, even just occasionally.
- Reduced or no physical activity.
- Less frequent monitoring of glucose levels than desired for an individual.
- Skipping medications or not taking medication.
- Cancelling appointments or not attending booked appointments.
- Avoiding routine blood tests.
- More frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
- Increase in diabetes-related complications.
- Overall reduced quality of life.
The Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, a validated 20-item questionnaire, can be used to assess a person’s diabetes-related distress and all LISTEN participants are required to complete the PAID questionnaire prior to enrolment.
LISTEN is suitable for people living with diabetes who have mild to moderate distress (PAID score ≤ 25) as the intervention is designed to be a low-intensity support. Patients who have more significant distress according to their PAID score can be directed to other appropriate services.
How can I refer my patients to LISTEN?
People living with diabetes can be referred into the LISTEN program by all health professionals with this referral form.
Individuals can also self-refer into the program via the Diabetes WA LISTEN page or by calling the Diabetes WA Helpline on 1300 001 880.
All people living with diabetes will be asked to complete a screening survey to ensure that LISTEN is the most appropriate program for their current emotional challenges.
The LISTEN program complements other diabetes education services. While these target clinical and practical details, LISTEN is an opportunity to focus solely on the emotional aspects of living with diabetes.
Learn more
How the LISTEN program can support people with diabetes distress
5 ways to cope with diabetes distress
References
(1) Skinner T, Joensen L, Parkin T. Twenty-five years of diabetes distress research. Diabet Med. 2020;37:393-400.doi: 10.1111/dme.14157
