Why don't patients test as often as prescribed?
Many of your patients want to maintain good glycemic control, but despite their best intentions, they may not be compliant with requirements to test their blood sugar. A big reason is the pain associated with constant finger pricks. Whether they have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, young or old, these common barriers to care for regular testing can be minimized.
Many patients don’t test regularly due to the following:
- The pain of a fingerstick
- Bruising from squeezing test site
- Calloused fingers from long-term testing
- Fear of needles
By removing the obstacles that stand in the way of regular blood glucose testing, healthcare providers can minimize burnout, improve testing motivation, and have more influence over patient outcomes.