diabetes research and clinical practice 108 (2015) 514–515
Contents available at ScienceDirect
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice jou rnal hom ep ag e: w ww.e l s e v i er . c om/ loca te / d i ab r es
International Diabetes Federation
World Diabetes Congress 2015: Living with diabetes stream Triumphing over complexity and flourishing with diabetes§ Gordon Bunyan 1
Interest in the Living With Diabetes Stream (LWD) grows stronger with every IDF World Diabetes Congress as the enthusiasm of its audience increases. It also reflects an unmet need and indicates the power of the information, and shared experiences our delegates exchange when given this unique opportunity to meet and network. At the next World Diabetes Congress in Vancouver, Canada (30 November–4 December, 2015), the Living With Diabetes Stream will feature as much variety, colour and enlightenment as the culture and community of Vancouver’s energetic cityscape. Diabetes is a complex condition and managing it well demands hundreds of decisions every day, not just by the person with diabetes. Those living with diabetes often do not have the objectivity to recognise their success or the value of that experience. The LWD Stream will endeavour to exploit that experience and cover a range of topics aimed at ensuring people with diabetes, their healthcare professionals (HCPs) and organisations which support them, learn to flourish with diabetes and celebrate daily triumphs. Living with diabetes is more than a medical condition. With speakers from all IDF Regions, we will explore how member associations have and can further improve the delivery of systems and support to improve outcomes for people with diabetes, including lessons for developed countries from developing countries. Important themes for the 2015 LWD Stream include:
1.
Advocacy
Benchmarking will be made to see what can be learned from other NGOs that tackle HIV/AIDS and heart disease. The LWD Stream will also examine how much can be gained from engaging people with diabetes in member organisations to improve outcomes and reduce the burden for healthcare professionals who run organisations as well as medical practices in many countries, and how advocacy and lobbying can be improved.
2.
Stigma
The stigma of diabetes and its impact is increasingly recognised as a problem, and discrimination remains serious around the world. We want to celebrate the diabetes ‘wins’ and take lessons from those successes for those that still confront it in their daily lives.
3.
Research
We will examine whether research is giving us what we want, whether the insulin pump is the answer for everyone in every community, or whether alternatives are just as effective and more viable economically. Other topics include how we can
§ This article first appeared in the March 2015 issue of the International Diabetes Federation’s magazine Diabetes Voice (http://www.idf. org/diabetesvoice). 1 Gordon Bunyan is Vice President & Chair, Board Standing Committee on Governance and Membership for IDF and Lead for the Living with Diabetes Stream for the World Diabetes Congress Vancouver 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2015.04.007 0168-8227/# 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
diabetes research and clinical practice 108 (2015) 514–515
live better while we wait for a type 1 diabetes cure; how we might have lived had we known we would develop type 2 diabetes, and whether the messages around type 2 diabetes prevention are culturally appropriate in a global context. The LWD Stream will be made up of a series of symposia, meet the expert sessions, open forums and debates. Topics will range from an exploration of the relationships between carers (partners, spouses and children as well as parents) and people with diabetes. Examples include: a debate between those who are devotees of the insulin pump and those who are not; an open forum on research and whether it is delivering solutions for everyday life while we wait for a cure; a look at effective advocacy and lobbying and lessons from the winners in the fight against discrimination; an examination of diabetes online and peer support, including benefits and shortfalls; a review of strategies for better HCP communication for both patient and professional; a clinical and psychological look at diabetes distress, complications, and how age of diagnosis impacts outcomes; a clinical and psychological look at the seriousness of hypoglycaemia, and its after-effects. Each session will be designed to increase the amount of time for discussion and the exchange of ideas and all speakers
515
will provide specific ‘‘take aways’’: ideas that can be utilised after the World Diabetes Congress is over. We want to ensure there are lessons here for everyone. The LWD Stream programme aims to acknowledge the complexity of diabetes that is too often taken for granted. It will explore the difficulties and unpredictability associated with managing all types of diabetes and how these complexities can affect those who live with and love people with diabetes. We will explore how to improve outcomes for both in a symposium dedicated to this subject. The LWD Stream is designed to engage a broad audience with a focus on discussion rather than lectures. It will be a great learning opportunity for people affected by diabetes and healthcare professionals alike, and we look forward to your being part of it in Vancouver.
Contents available at ScienceDirect
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice jou rnal hom ep ag e: w ww.e l s e v i er . c om/ loca te / d i ab r es
International Diabetes Federation
World Diabetes Congress 2015: Living with diabetes stream Triumphing over complexity and flourishing with diabetes§ Gordon Bunyan 1
Interest in the Living With Diabetes Stream (LWD) grows stronger with every IDF World Diabetes Congress as the enthusiasm of its audience increases. It also reflects an unmet need and indicates the power of the information, and shared experiences our delegates exchange when given this unique opportunity to meet and network. At the next World Diabetes Congress in Vancouver, Canada (30 November–4 December, 2015), the Living With Diabetes Stream will feature as much variety, colour and enlightenment as the culture and community of Vancouver’s energetic cityscape. Diabetes is a complex condition and managing it well demands hundreds of decisions every day, not just by the person with diabetes. Those living with diabetes often do not have the objectivity to recognise their success or the value of that experience. The LWD Stream will endeavour to exploit that experience and cover a range of topics aimed at ensuring people with diabetes, their healthcare professionals (HCPs) and organisations which support them, learn to flourish with diabetes and celebrate daily triumphs. Living with diabetes is more than a medical condition. With speakers from all IDF Regions, we will explore how member associations have and can further improve the delivery of systems and support to improve outcomes for people with diabetes, including lessons for developed countries from developing countries. Important themes for the 2015 LWD Stream include:
1.
Advocacy
Benchmarking will be made to see what can be learned from other NGOs that tackle HIV/AIDS and heart disease. The LWD Stream will also examine how much can be gained from engaging people with diabetes in member organisations to improve outcomes and reduce the burden for healthcare professionals who run organisations as well as medical practices in many countries, and how advocacy and lobbying can be improved.
2.
Stigma
The stigma of diabetes and its impact is increasingly recognised as a problem, and discrimination remains serious around the world. We want to celebrate the diabetes ‘wins’ and take lessons from those successes for those that still confront it in their daily lives.
3.
Research
We will examine whether research is giving us what we want, whether the insulin pump is the answer for everyone in every community, or whether alternatives are just as effective and more viable economically. Other topics include how we can
§ This article first appeared in the March 2015 issue of the International Diabetes Federation’s magazine Diabetes Voice (http://www.idf. org/diabetesvoice). 1 Gordon Bunyan is Vice President & Chair, Board Standing Committee on Governance and Membership for IDF and Lead for the Living with Diabetes Stream for the World Diabetes Congress Vancouver 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2015.04.007 0168-8227/# 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
diabetes research and clinical practice 108 (2015) 514–515
live better while we wait for a type 1 diabetes cure; how we might have lived had we known we would develop type 2 diabetes, and whether the messages around type 2 diabetes prevention are culturally appropriate in a global context. The LWD Stream will be made up of a series of symposia, meet the expert sessions, open forums and debates. Topics will range from an exploration of the relationships between carers (partners, spouses and children as well as parents) and people with diabetes. Examples include: a debate between those who are devotees of the insulin pump and those who are not; an open forum on research and whether it is delivering solutions for everyday life while we wait for a cure; a look at effective advocacy and lobbying and lessons from the winners in the fight against discrimination; an examination of diabetes online and peer support, including benefits and shortfalls; a review of strategies for better HCP communication for both patient and professional; a clinical and psychological look at diabetes distress, complications, and how age of diagnosis impacts outcomes; a clinical and psychological look at the seriousness of hypoglycaemia, and its after-effects. Each session will be designed to increase the amount of time for discussion and the exchange of ideas and all speakers
515
will provide specific ‘‘take aways’’: ideas that can be utilised after the World Diabetes Congress is over. We want to ensure there are lessons here for everyone. The LWD Stream programme aims to acknowledge the complexity of diabetes that is too often taken for granted. It will explore the difficulties and unpredictability associated with managing all types of diabetes and how these complexities can affect those who live with and love people with diabetes. We will explore how to improve outcomes for both in a symposium dedicated to this subject. The LWD Stream is designed to engage a broad audience with a focus on discussion rather than lectures. It will be a great learning opportunity for people affected by diabetes and healthcare professionals alike, and we look forward to your being part of it in Vancouver.
