Balancing the Scale: Weighing In on Communicating About Diabetes and Weight

Abstract

Biases and stigma related to health, diabetes, and obesity are an obstacle to providing respectful, empathetic, holistic care. Recognizing explicit and implicit biases and understanding the detrimental consequences is key to the stigma that exists, and the impact that it has on patient care is key. Health care professionals have a responsibility to communicate with patients with respect, empathy, and honesty, ensuring the person is at the center of care. There are a multitude of ways to positively change the landscape in which biases exist.