Healthcare provider burnout is increasing in prevalence and poses a threat to our healthcare system. Burnout was a syndrome identified 30 years ago, and is characterized by depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of low personal accomplishment. Characteristics of the healthcare environment coupled with personal factors place healthcare providers at risk for burnout.

Teresa Pearson, MS, RN, CDCES, FADCES and Hope Warshaw, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM define the Social Context of Diabetes across the lifespan, and provide suggestions and examples for what healthcare professionals can do to encourage social support virtually and in real life.

Living with diabetes can be overwhelming and may ultimately lead to “burnout” which can add to the myriad of challenges already faced by someone with a chronic disease like diabetes. Symptoms of burnout can include depression, lack of hope, and frustration. These symptoms impact adults and adolescents alike and may diminish their ability to manage their disease. Mark Heyman, PhD, CDCES shares his experience working with patients with diabetes and helping them avoid or overcome the mental health challenges of living with diabetes.

Representatives from the American Diabetes Association and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists released a consensus statement about the use of language in diabetes care and education. The statement provides recommendations for language used by healthcare professionals and others when discussing diabetes through spoken or written words.

Considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that is observed by Muslims as a time of fasting. Muslims with diabetes may be exempted from fasting during this period, but many choose to fast. Patients should be assessed beforehand, as dawn to dusk fasting could put them at risk for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and dehydration. How can care best be individualized to meet the needs of this patient during this critical period?

Multicultural societies exist worldwide, and culture can greatly impact the success of self-managed treatment plans. Diabetes management requires people to engage in multiple healthy behaviors that are shaped by an individual’s culture, and culturally appropriate diabetes care requires practitioners to have competencies in specific areas of cultural knowledge. Amparo Gonzalez, MPH, RN, CDCES, FADCES presents on culturally relevant diabetes care for the Latino population.