Teaching patients with type 2 diabetes to self-administer insulin

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive chronic condition. Glucose-lowering medications are initiated, maximised and combined throughout the patient journey. Prescribing insulin is an integral part of managing T2DM.

The aim of this article is to provide practical guidance to assist commencement of insulin.

Access to specialist diabetes care for insulin commencement varies considerably according to disease complexity, service type, setting and location. Delays in commencing insulin can result in the patient experiencing further glycaemic deterioration, increasing the risk of developing or worsening diabetes-related complications. Initiation of insulin in primary care can involve more than determining the type and dose of insulin in order to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The key to successfully teaching patients to self-administer insulin, and allowing them to master the steps involved, is to focus on ‘why’ rather than ‘what’ to do.