Diabetes Attitude Questionnaire for People with Diabetes.doc

Diabetes Attitude SurveyBelow are some statements about diabetes. Each numbered statement finishes the sentence “In general, I believe that.” You may believe that a statement is true for one person but not for another person or may be true one time but not be true another time. Mark the answer that you believe is true most of the time or is true for most people. Place a check mark in the box below the word or phrase that is closest to your opinion about each statement. It is important that you answer every statement.Note: The term “health care professionals” in this survey refers to doctors, nurses, and dietitians.StronglyStronglyAgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeDisagreeIn general, I believe that:1.health care professionals who treat people with diabetes should be trained to communicate well with their patients. 2.people who do not need to take insulin to treat their diabetes havea pretty mild disease.3.there is not much use in trying to have good blood sugar controlbecause the complications of diabetes will happen anyway.4.diabetes affects almost every part of a diabetic persons life.5.the important decisions regardingdaily diabetes care should be madeby the person with diabetes.6.health care professionals shouldbe taught how daily diabetes careaffects patients lives.StronglyStronglyAgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeDisagreeIn general, I believe that:7.older people with Type 2* diabetes do not usually get complications.8.keeping the blood sugar close tonormal can help to prevent thecomplications of diabetes. 9.health care professionals should help patients make informed choices about their care plans. 10.it is important for the nursesand dietitians who teach people with diabetes to learn counseling skills. 11.people whose diabetes is treatedby just a diet do not have to worryabout getting many long-termcomplications. 12.almost everyone with diabetes should do whatever it takes to keeptheir blood sugar close to normal. 13.the emotional effects of diabetesare pretty small. * Type 2 diabetes usually begins after age 40. Many patients are overweight and weight loss is often an important part of the treatment. Insulin and/or diabetes pills are sometimes used in the treatment. Type 2 diabetes is also called noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM; formerly it was called “adult diabetes.”StronglyStronglyAgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeDisagreeIn general, I believe that:14.people with diabetes should have the final say in setting their blood glucose goals. 15.blood sugar testing is not neededfor people with Type 2* diabetes. 16.low blood sugar reactions maketight control too risky for mostpeople. 17.health care professionals shouldlearn how to set goals with patients,not just tell them what to do. 18.diabetes is hard because younever get a break from it. 19.the person with diabetes is the most important member of the diabetes care team. 20.to do a good job, diabetes educators should learn a lot about being teachers 21.Type 2* diabetes is a veryserious disease. 22.having diabetes changes a persons outlook on life. * Type 2 diabetes usually begins after age 40. Many patients are overweight and weight loss is often an important part of the treatment. Insulin and/or diabetes pills are sometimes used in the treatment. Type 2 diabetes is also called noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM; formerly it was called “adult diabetes.”StronglyStronglyAgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeDisagreeIn general, I believe that:23.people who have Type 2*diabetes will probably not getmuch payoff from tight controlof their blood sugars. 24.people with diabetes shouldlearn a lot about the disease so thatthey can be in charge of their owndiabetes care. 25.Type 2* is as serious as Type 1 diabetes. 26.tight control is too much work. 27.what the patient does has moreeffect on the outcome of diabetes care than anything a health professional does. 28.tight control of blood sugar makes sense only for people with Type 1 diabetes. * Type 2 diabetes usually begins after age 40. Many patients are overweight and weight loss is often an important part of the treatment. Insulin and/or diabetes pills are sometimes used in the treatment. Type 2 diabetes is also called noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM; formerly it was called “adult diabetes.”Type 1 diabetes usually begins before age 40 and always requires insulin as part of the treatment. Patients are usually not overweight. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM; formerly it was called “juvenile diabetes.”StronglyStronglyAgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeDisagreeIn general, I believe that:29.it is frustrating for people withdiabetes to take care of theirdisease. 30.people with diabetes have a rightto decide how hard they will work to control their blood sugar. 31.people who take diabetes pillsshould be as concerned about theirblood sugar as people who takeinsulin. 32.people with diabetes have the right not to take good care of theirdiabetes. 33.support from family and friendsis important in dealing withdiabetes. Revised 12/18/98