Summary of DAWN (Diabetes, Attitudes, Wishes and Needs) programme realization all over the world and in Poland

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the major world health problems. Among people with diabetes at least half still do not achieve satisfactory glycemic control, despite the availability of effective treatments, and as a consequence millions of people are at risk of serious complications of the disease. In 2001 DAWN (Diabetes, Attitudes, Wishes and Needs) study was implemented and it identified several important gaps in the management of diabetes. Because psychological factors remain key barriers to improved outcomes, a lot of activities focused on psychosocial aspects of diabetes were implemented across a number of countries. In Poland National Programme to Support People with Diabetes was launched to address psychological issues at every level of health service. The main goals of the Programme are to improve quality of life and treatment results of people with diabetes by overcoming the psychological barriers in the patient-doctors relationship. The Programme is realized by organizing conferences for specialists, workshops for GP’s lead by specialists and clinical psychologists, trainings for nurses and preparation of "psychological tools" - algorithm for doctors treated patients with diabetes.