Therapeutic inertia of the Diabetologist: from the clinical algorithm to the mental algorithm. DIADEMA-AMD project

Several type 2 diabetic patients never reach the recommended metabolic goals because the proper therapy is not prescribed or modified. The problem is known as “therapeutic inertia.” In the literature, there is a wide range of available methodologies suited to analyze the problem. Almost in all instances, however, this problem is attributed to external factors – organizational issues, time constraints, financial restrictions and patient resistance – while the diabetologist’s mental process, well-being and emotions are often ignored. Acknowledging the issue is the first step to overcome the impasse of therapeutic inertia. Often diabetologists lack self-awareness of their own mistakes. The goal of the Diadema project is to analyze and understand the processes that are responsible for the actions and facilitate a real change. KEY WORDS therapeutic inertia; emotions; change; communication; relationship; awareness