Diabetes patients given short shrift

Regarding “Patients Not Getting the Care They Need, Study Says” (May 10): Among people with chronic conditions, according to the Rand Corp. study, people with diabetes usually get the worst care, even though the disease has a high risk of serious side effects. I find the results of this study remarkably on point, on target and true.

The Internet, books, diabetes educators, nurses and diabetes support groups provide the “stay alive” information. Doctors have become, sadly, a necessary nuisance expense for biannual blood chemistry, flu shots and prescriptions.

On these visits it is uncharacteristic of any doctor to do more than take your blood pressure, weigh you, poke your abdomen and listen to your heart. Patient involvement is only tolerated; blood chemistry panel trends are never reviewed; questions and follow-up are discouraged by the brisk, short and impersonal five to 10 minutes with the doctor.

Patient beware.

Donald A. Sellek

Manhattan Beach