Tamil - Australian Diabetes Council

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The Diabetes Health Care Team
Diabetes is a lifelong condition. Your health care team is available to support, advise and answer
your questions.
The most important member of this team is you!
You are the one who will be at the centre of your diabetes management. Your family, friends
and co-workers might also be part of your team.
The Diabetes Health Care Team includes:
• Your family doctor who looks after your diabetes and refers you to other health
professionals as needed. Your family doctor is responsible for organising your diabetes tests.
• An Endocrinologist is a specialist in diabetes. Many people with type 1 diabetes see an
endocrinologist. People with type 2 diabetes may see an endocrinologist if they are having
problems with their diabetes management or when
insulin therapy is needed.
• A Diabetes Educator is usually a registered nurse
who has done special training in diabetes. Educators
can assist with teaching you about diabetes in
many of the important areas such as blood glucose
monitoring, medications, insulin, sick days, travel and
stress.
• A Dietitian can answer questions about healthy
eating for you and your family.
• An Exercise Physiologist can help to develop a
physical activity plan suitable for you - regardless of
age, ability or disability.
• An Optometrist will do a diabetes eye check and
a vision check. Some people with diabetes need
to see an Ophthalmologist, a doctor with special
training in diseases and problems with the eye.
• A Podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the feet. Many podiatrists have advanced
training in caring for the ‘diabetic foot’.
• A Dentist will check your teeth and gums.
Sometimes people with diabetes have trouble coping with the day to day burden of their
disease. Social workers and psychologists can help in this area. Your family doctor or
diabetes educator can often refer you to these services.
Other specialists are sometimes needed. Children and adolescents with diabetes should see
a paediatric endocrinologist or a paediatrician.
Women with diabetes who are planning a pregnancy, who are pregnant or women
who develop gestational diabetes should see an obstetrician and endocrinologist. If
complications of diabetes are present, referral to other health professionals may be required.
Pharmacists are also very important in your diabetes management. They have special
knowledge of how medicines work and which medications may interact with each other.
Ask your doctor or diabetes health care team about any structured diabetes education
classes/programs in your area. Diabetes education programs, either individual or as part of
a group, will help you set some healthy lifestyle goals and assist you with managing your
diabetes.
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