A consensus report highlights several ways in which psychologists add value
By Chelsea Chum
Managing diabetes can be difficult and stressful. It can create a heavy mental and emotional burden. This is known as diabetes distress.
Clinical psychologists are experts in mental health and behavioural disorders. They are trained to deliver assessment and diagnostic tools. They know how to effectively share their knowledge with health teams to guide person-centred care.
An international group of psychologists specialising in diabetes have published a paper. It focuses on how psychologists contribute to improving the mental health and wellbeing of people with diabetes and their diabetes management.
The group identifies four key roles that clinical psychologists play in diabetes care:
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- Specialised knowledge, i.e. understand the psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes.
- Teamwork and advice, i.e. acting as a bridge between medical care and mental health care.
- Assessment, i.e. establishing plans for structured monitoring of mental health and wellbeing during diabetes care.
- Providing psychotherapy, i.e. psychological counselling, evidence-based practice.
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The team also identifies four key areas that clinical psychologists need to be skilled in to deliver quality, diabetes specific care:
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- As a clinician, providing specialised clinical psychology expertise.
- As an advisor to other health professionals, e.g. training or consulting to inform diabetes care.
- As a communicator and promoter of person-centred care.
- As a researcher.
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The report shows that mental health plays an important part in determining successful outcomes in diabetes management. It also shows the various ways in which clinical psychologists can work to support the person with diabetes and their clinical team.
However, it also highlights that many of the skills needed are specialist, and not included in current university courses. Psychologists develop these ‘on the job’. There is a need for better support and specialist training for psychologists working in diabetes care.
We hope this report will contribute to guiding future training for health professionals, encouraging better communication and collaboration between the areas of mental health and diabetes care.
For more information on the topic of mental health, you can check out our other blog posts here.
Reference:
Snoek F, Anarte-Ortiz MT, Anderbro T, Cyranka K, Hendrieckx C, Hermanns N, Indelicato L, McGuire B, Mocan A, Nefs G, Polonsky W, Stewart R, Vallis M. Roles and competencies of the clinical psychologist in adult diabetes care—A consensus report. Diabet Med. 2024; 00:e15312. doi:10.1111/dme.15312
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