The perceived quality of the 'add-on' conversation by patients was linked to all self-management outcomes surveyed.1 Patients who recalled better quality of communication when interacting with their physicians reported improved self-care and emotional well-being, including improved diabetes-related emotional distress, frequency of exercise and diet, as well as better medication adherence.(1)
Dr Matthew Capehorn, UK, GP and member of the IntroDia™ Advisory Panel commented: "If not framed properly, the introduction of additional oral medication for type 2 diabetes management can be a challenging moment for patients. An encouraging conversation with a physician can make a real difference to subsequent self-management. We now have data that confirm how important the quality of communication is during this 'add-on' conversation."
Analysis of the conversations indicated patients distinguish three types of physician statements that contribute to communication quality: 'encouraging', 'collaborative' and 'discouraging'.(1) When physicians used 'encouraging' and 'collaborative' statements, patients' perception of the communication quality significantly improved.(1) Using 'discouraging' statements had the opposite effect.(1)
'Encouraging' communication included statements such as:
- "My doctor explained that the new medication would help to control my diabetes."
- "My doctor told me that the new medication would improve my quality of life."
'Collaborative' communication examples were:
- "My doctor invited me to ask questions about my new medication."
- "My doctor helped to adjust my treatment plan so I could do it in my daily life."
'Discouraging' communication included statements like:
- "My doctor told me that my diabetes is out of control."
- "My doctor told me that I needed more medication because I had failed to take good enough care of myself."
The analysis also looked into which statements were most frequently recalled by patients from their 'add-on' conversations. 'Encouraging' statements were recalled by up to 85 percent of patients. 'Discouraging' statements were recalled by up to 53 percent of patients.(1)
"The patient data demonstrate that physicians are already doing a good job, by most often using 'encouraging' and 'collaborative' statements and using 'discouraging' statements less frequently. However, 'add-on' conversations can still be further improved to help patients make the positive behavioural changes required to manage type 2 diabetes," concluded Dr Capehorn.
About IntroDia™
IntroDia™ is the largest multi-national survey to date investigating early conversations between physicians and people with T2D. It includes insights from 6,753 physicians and 10,139 people with T2D from 26 countries. The survey focuses on two potentially pivotal time points in T2D management: diagnosis and the 'add-on' moment, when additional oral medication is introduced. Data evaluation is ongoing and further insights will be announced throughout 2015 and 2016. The IntroDia™ Survey's physician insights, coupled with upcoming patient findings, will be used to develop solutions that help shape the early T2D conversations and ultimately improve quality of care.
IntroDia™ is an initiative of Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation. It has been developed in collaboration with an international, multidisciplinary Advisory Board of T2D experts from the field of primary care, endocrinology, behavioural psychology, nursing and diabetes education including: Ms. Anne Belton, Canada; Dr. William Polonsky, USA; Dr. Steven Edelman, USA; Dr. Matthew S Capehorn, UK and Ms. Susan Down, UK, Professor Aus Al Zaid, Saudi Arabia.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an alliance in diabetes that centres on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. The alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate commitment in the care of patients with diabetes and stand together to focus on patient needs. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributed to the alliance.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 146 affiliates and a total of more than 47,700 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects, such as the initiative "Making more Health" and caring for the employees. Respect, equal opportunities and reconciling career and family form the foundation of the mutual cooperation. In everything it does, the company focuses on environmental protection and sustainability.
In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 13.3 billion euros. R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.9 per cent of its net sales.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
* 4,235 people with T2D, out of the total 10,319 included in the IntroDia™ Survey, met the necessary criteria to be asked about 'add-on' moment conversations. All 10,319 survey participants were asked about their early ‘diagnosis’ conversations.
1. Capehorn M, et al. Physician-patient Communication at Prescription of an Additional Oral Agent for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): Link Between Key Conversation Elements, Physician Empathy and Patient Outcomes – Insights From the Global IntroDia™ Study. Poster 63-LB at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) 2015, Boston, USA.