Diabetes update 2024 - Symposium for healthcare professionals

Last week I went to the Diabetes Liga diabetes update 2024 - Symposium for healthcare professionals. My goal was to get a better impression on how healthcare professionals engage with their patients, and how they approach mental health support in their positions. Basically, I wanted to get a feel for the market and potential interest in mental health care for people with diabetes type 1.

I was pleasantly surprised to see people's engagement and passion as they spoke about their jobs, research, and product developments - all related to improving the quality of life of people with diabetes.

People asked my intention for coming, and I shared my experiences having diabetes type 1, mentioning my intention of implementing a proper mental care framework for people with diabetes type 1.

Here, I'm sharing my experience of the event throughout the day:

Arrival: Diabetes organizations

I arrived in the morning and interacted with some people who had set up their stands to promote and showcase their latest developments. These stands represented organizations including Dexcom, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, InBody, OneTouch, Abott, Diabetes Liga and more. My particular interest was aimed at Medtronic, who displayed their newest Simplera sensor, which is available for people who use insulin pens. I asked them about the upcoming sensor for their 780g insulin pump and found out when they would launch. Spoiler alert, it's this year!

After having some inspiring and informative conversations, three speakers presented their topics, including:

• Prof. dr. Pieter Gillard (endocrinologist at UZ Leuven), who talked about the newest developments in treatment of diabetes type 1 and 2;

• Dr. Pieter Paul Schauwvlieghe (ophthalmologist UZ Leuven, New Vision Edegem) sharing his experiences in utilizing AI for diabetic screening through Deep Learning images of retinopathy;

• Inge Everaert (Team coordinator Knowledge Center, Policy and Research) talking about policy to practice, in particular the practicalities involved in helping others with diabetes as a capable helper (for more info, click here).

Lunch - Body analysis

After eating some lunch, I inquired with InBody, who was representing their line of body composition analyzers (which looked like machinery belonging on a space ship). Curious, I had an analysis done, and was pleasantly surprised by my results. I had been on a strict diet and was experimenting with my weekly meal preprations, combined with strength training, and this showed.

After this, I attended three more interesting presentations:

• Dana Cools (Dietician at Santee), who talked about navigating eating disorders in people with diabetes. It was refreshing to see her emphasis on the mental aspects of managing diabetes and blood sugar;

• Prof. dr. Nico De Leu (endocrinologist at ASZ Aalst, UZ Brussel; Beta Cell Neogenesis research unit, Free University of Brussels) sharing his research findings on diverse routes to beta cell regeneration and transplantation in mice;

• Dr. Abdellatif Riffi sharing his perspectives and experiences as a Moroccan doctor in Belgium on diabetes managament with immigrants, with al its cultural nuances and implications.

Looking back on this day, I'm very happy I attended and feel grateful for the strong force of scientists, product developers and healthcare workers, all set out to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes. It was inspiring to see their eagerness to make progress.

To conclude, I did find mental health care underrepresented, which prompted me even more to contribute in this facet of life for people with diabetes. I am truly convinced I can make a difference, in my experience as a person with diabetes type 1 myself, as well as being trained and educated as a clinical psychologist, as well as therapist.

How I plan to contribute has already been put into motion... Keep checking my website and social media to stay updated!

Hans