Diabetes has lifelong financial and lifestyle implications for your patient and her family. The financial burden of paying for treatment supplies or obtaining adequate health care coverage can make it difficult for your patient to keep up with other financial responsibilities. In many cases, these adjustments and financial burdens affect the family, and anger and resentment may sow the seeds of future noncompliance.The psychological and social history portion of the health history should include questions about the patient’s strengths and weaknesses, attitudes about health and illness, coping skills, socioeconomic class, cultural background, position and status in the family,
level of education, religious background, and hobbies and interests. This information can help you tailor your patient’s treatment plan to perhaps improve her compliance. For example, a Jewish patient who doesn’t eat pork will be more likely to comply with therapy that includes human insulin instead of pork insulin. A patient who requires insulin but who likes to sleep in on the weekend will need to manage her insulin and dietary intake differently on Saturday and Sunday.
The patient’s financial situation can have a major impact on her willingness to purchase the supplies she needs to help control blood glucose levels. If you recognize a patient’s financial concerns early on, give her an appropriate referral so that she can get the assistance she needs to manage her diabetes.