We contributed to the development of guidance on person-centred diabetes communication in Ireland. The guidance aligns strongly with our wider commitment to clear, inclusive communication and person-centred care across our national screening programmes.
In this guest blog, co-lead author Dr Cathy Breen explains why language matters in diabetes care, and provides a summary of the guidance.
By Dr Cathy Breen, Clinical Specialist Dietitian/Dietitian Lead, HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes
We are delighted to share that our academic paper, Language matters: Guidance for person-centred diabetes communication in Ireland, has been published in Diabetic Medicine.
The paper brings together evidence, lived experience and practical guidance to support more respectful, person-centred communication in diabetes care in Ireland. It was developed by a multidisciplinary working group that included healthcare professionals, researchers and people living with diabetes.
Why language matters
The words we use can have a real impact on how people feel about themselves, their health and their healthcare experiences.
Living with diabetes involves constant day-to-day decision-making and self-management. Research shows that the language people hear from healthcare professionals, services, the media and society can either support them or add to feelings of stress, blame or stigma.
Our guidance highlights that:
- language can shape people’s confidence and motivation
- judgmental or blaming language can increase diabetes distress
- respectful, supportive communication can improve engagement with care
- the way healthcare professionals speak about people with diabetes matters just as much as the way they speak to them.
We know from research in Ireland that more than one-third of people living with diabetes reported experiencing stigmatising language from healthcare professionals at least sometimes. Around half of people said they experienced judgment about food choices.
What person-centred communication looks like
The guidance encourages healthcare professionals to use language that is:
- respectful
- empathetic
- strengths-based
- clear and easy to understand
- free from blame or judgment.
Simple changes can make a difference.
For example, the guidance recommends:
- asking the person would they prefer person-first language, for example ‘person living with diabetes’, instead of labelling someone as ‘a diabetic’
- talking about ‘managing’ diabetes instead of ‘controlling’ it
- avoiding words such as ‘non-compliant’ or ‘bad control’
- focusing on collaboration and support instead of blame.
The guidance reminds us that communication is about more than words. Tone, body language, attitude and listening all matter too.
A practical guide for healthcare settings
One of the key aims of the guidance is to make it practical and relevant for everyday healthcare. It outlines ways to use person-centred communication across different settings, including:
- clinic appointments
- written communication and clinic letters
- group education sessions
- multidisciplinary team discussions
- public health campaigns and social media
- digital and virtual healthcare interactions.
Conclusion
The guidance is about recognising that communication affects trust, engagement and people’s experiences of care. We hope it will encourage reflection and conversation across healthcare services in Ireland. Every interaction is an opportunity to support people living with diabetes with empathy, respect and understanding.
- Breen C, Powell S, Patterson E, Finnegan M, McInerney AM, Flynn G, Coyle A, Gajewska K, Kavanagh H, Cunningham D, Lowe J, Kelly B, Morrissey EC, Keighron C, Murphy M, Devine L, Deasy N, Forde R, Creaven AM, Lowry M, Birney S, Deschenes S, Griffin TP. Language matters: Guidance for person-centred diabetes communication in Ireland. Diabet Med. 2026 May 21:e70364. doi: 10.1111/dme.70364. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42165706.