The Need for Diabetes Advance Directives to Support the Care of People With Diabetes

Abstract

It is time to adopt an advance directive specific to diabetes management. Research shows that people with diabetes in the hospital are often removed from existing diabetes self-management, resulting in poorer outcomes. Diabetes advance directives, which outline preferred diabetes self-management in scenarios such as hospitalization or outpatient procedures, are key for enabling patients with diabetes to continue successful diabetes management including use of existing diabetes technology. A diabetes advance directive is a new concept for both patients and providers that can improve clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes. Given the risk of harm in the absence of such a document, diabetes advance directives can be a useful new tool for patients and providers and to aid in the discussion, care planning, and self-management with diabetes technology.