Editor’s Note

Fifty percent of Australians with diabetes don’t reach their glycaemic target. In anyone’s language that isn’t good, but considering high glucose levels affect a person’s small blood vessels, especially the eyes and kidneys, it also affects the quality of life of people with diabetes and the Australian health budget’s bottom line.

It’s time for change …  time to do things differently!

diabetes coalface is a monthly newsletter for health professionals who see people with diabetes in their clinical work. In this inaugural edition I explore the true meaning of team care and the role we all play in a person’s primary care diabetes team. Look out for the link to a blog published a few weeks ago exploring the potential to improve primary healthcare by strengthening the business planning skills of small businesses delivering these services in Australia. We look at the strange phenomenon of themes that develop in clinical sessions and direct from my own clinical practice is a tip on communicating with people with significant communication challenges. Test your knowledge of the latest Australian insulin usage statistics and click on the link to get a fact sheet on the topic. There are also links to some of the latest blogs and resources on the DE@Connect site.