Exploring the depths of diabetes: insights from the 28th PSAD Annual Scientific Meeting

As active members of the diabetes activist community and part of the #dedoc° voices network, Liron Meidan and Lucía Feito Allonca had the privilege of representing the voice and presence of our global PWD community at the most recent scientific meeting of the PSAD Study Group, held in April 2024 in Wurzburg, Germany.

#dedoc° voices Lucía Feito Allonca and Liron Meidan met Professor Jane Speight at the 28th PSAD Annual Scientific Meeting. Source: Lucía Feito Allonca

This opportunity was made possible thanks to a grant awarded by the PSAD Study Group to members of the #dedoc° voices network, a platform dedicated to promoting empowerment and increasing the participation of people with diabetes (PWD) in all congresses, events, and activities where diabetes is on the agenda. 

From the moment we entered the venue, we were impressed by the atmosphere of collaboration and dedication that permeated the event. Gathered in a renowned international forum, experts from various disciplines and countries came together to discuss the latest scientific advancements related to the psychosocial aspects of diabetes.

Diabetes stigma and emotional wellbeing

There was a pre-event session where we discussed the "End Diabetes Stigma" pledge and exchanged insights on the engagement strategies used in our companies and organisations to promote and support this initiative, as well as addressing its importance. The diabetes community, and in particular #dedoc°, played a decisive role in the creation and dissemination of the initiative. You can endorse the pledge as an organisation or individual here.

#EndDiabetesStigma encourages people from all over the world to make a personal and public commitment to eliminating diabetes stigma. Source: EndDiabetesStigma.org/The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes 

We also attended a symposium on digital interventions, focused on emotional well-being in relation to diabetes, and learned about ongoing initiatives such as the My Diamate app or the BEATdiabetes study, designed to implement and evaluate online supported management for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D), presented by Debbie Cook.

Diabetes distress: changing perspectives

Sources of diabetes distress in people living with diabetes linked to digital tools were analysed in a session presented by Dominic Ehrmann.

A striking lecture by Professor Dr. Lawrence Fisher addressed "the emotional side of diabetes." It had a profound impact on us. Let's do a little exercise: take a moment to complete this sentence:

“The fact that I live with diabetes means that…”

Professor Fisher found surprising results in the responses of people living with diabetes and concluded that diabetes distress is generally seen as a “condition": an "add-on", a kind of comorbidity or complication, something extra which falls into a mental health or illness basket. We think about it in much the same way that we think about depression, anxiety, or other forms of psychopathology.

Professor Dr. Lawrence Fisher presents a session on diabetes distress at the 28th PSAD Annual Scientific Meeting. Source: Lucía Feito Allonca

Attending to diabetes distress is not seen as part of routine diabetes care. It was concluded that it is time for a change of perspective: diabetes distress is part of diabetes itself, not an extra, so it should not be addressed from the perspective of mental health.

The emotional side of diabetes is simply (but long neglected) another aspect of living with diabetes.

Diabetes distress refers only to how people experience and understand their disease: the painful yet expected feelings, beliefs, and expectations that drive management behaviour and affect quality of life.

A type 2 focus, diabetes at university and furthering patient engagement

The second day revisited digital health, eating disorders, weight-related discrimination, perceived stress, and psychological and physical well-being of persons with T2D, among other topics. Weight discrimination can affect health outcomes.

The session presented by Gijsbert Stoet stood out: the ADAPT approach to improving support for university students living with diabetes. This is a need that is not fully addressed at the global stage yet. 

Professor Gijsbert Stoet presents a session on university students living with diabetes at the 28th PSAD Annual Scientific Meeting. Source: Lucía Feito Allonca

On the third day, awards were given, and we had the honour of speaking on stage as well as receiving recognition for our work. In the afternoon, we took part in a workshop on patient-reported outcomes and patient engagement as people living with diabetes, facilitated by Søren Skovlund.

Enriching and transformative: our PSAD experience in a nutshell 

In summary, our participation in the scientific meeting of the PSAD Study Group was an enriching and transformative experience. Not only did we have the opportunity to learn from some of the best experts in the field, we also had the honour of representing and strengthening the voice of our community.

#dedoc° voices Lucía Feito Allonca and Liron Meidan attended and spoke on stage at the PSAD 28th Annual Scientific Meeting. Source: Lucía Feito Allonca

By working together and advocating for meaningful participation, we can move towards a future where the needs of people with diabetes are recognised, respected, and effectively addressed in all areas of life.

Thank you to the members of the PSAD and to #dedoc° for working together in alliance for the global diabetes community.

Which topics covered at PSAD speak to you the most? Let us know in the comments.
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