Diabetes Passport
ECAD team members led the development of the diabetes passport in collaboration with endocrinology Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), St. Columcille’s Hospital (SCH) and St. Michael’s Hospital. In addition, a focus group of people living with Type 2 diabetes was held to gather their views on the passport and any omissions/additions that could be made. The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) reviewed the passport and approved it.
The diabetes passport identifies the person’s demographic details. It contains 4 pages outlining the importance of regular review and includes what checks are done at reviews, what they mean and what is considered a good or a not so good result. It provides a Body Mass Index (BMI) table along with an explanation of how to use it. It can hold a record of drug therapies and also a section for results from regular and annual reviews over a 5 year period. The passport also has some useful website addresses and telephone numbers.
The aim of the passport is to promote empowerment amongst those who use it and to co-ordinate the care between them and the many healthcare professionals they attend. Once the passport is updated at each visit it can serve as a powerful communication record between the patient and their healthcare professionals.
The passport was nominated for a Crystal Clear Health Literacy Award in the Best Project in General Practice Category, 2014. In 2017, the passport was accepted for poster presentation at the International Conference on Integrated Care held in Dublin.
An audit of the diabetes passport was conducted in early 2017. The purpose was to establish its use within Community Healthcare East (CHE). The audit indicates poor utilisation of the passport particularly within secondary care. The passport is being promoted with renewed vigour starting with presentation of the audit to MDTs at SVUH and SCH. It will be re-audited in one years time and will be re-audited until its evaluation demonstrates that it is a routine aspect of the diabetes review. Since this audit, the passport is now incorporated into the DISCOVER DIABETES programme within CHE.
This is what people have to say about the diabetes passport:
"I find my Diabetic Passport vital in helping me manage & control my diabetic condition.
What I find especially useful are that it contains details of my individual medications. It has useful reminders of test & target controls for me and all the contact details I need. I can bring the passport with me to all my medical appointments with my recent test records to hand, which is very useful for me & the medical staff wherever I am attending.
As a result of having my Diabetic Passport, I am very aware of my current medical situation & my own ability to track my progress. It helps keep me on the straight & narrow!"Mary, Blackrock
"The Diabetes Passport is a very Important document which summarises the important diagnostic results used to monitor my diabetes.By comparing the latest test results with those recorded from previous clinics, I can quickly check how well I am managing my diabetes. The information provided in this Diabetes Health Profile, enables me to adjust my diet, activities and exercise accordingly, so that I can keep the condition under control."
James, Blackrock
If you would like to have diabetes passports to offer to people attending your diabetes clinic, please contact Roisin Kavanagh:
Tel: 01 2744324 email: roisin.kavanagh@hse.ie