Problem talk can create problems. Solution talk creates solutions. – Steve de Shazer, pioneer of solution-focused brief therapy

Our last blog wrapped up a series of posts on transforming primary care encounters by taking a solution-focused approach when managing type 2 diabetes in the primary care setting. This series has received overwhelming positive feedback. We were excited when an abstract we submitted on the topic to ADCES22 conference was accepted for presentation! If you will be attending the conference in Baltimore, we’d love to have you join us on Friday August 12 at 4:45 pm where we will share 7 tactics for your diabetes education toolbox to transform primary care visits. In large part, the tactics can be applied to other practice settings as well. 

Without a doubt, managing diabetes is complex. We know that constant focus on “problems” can erode confidence. So clients/patients may turn to us, their healthcare team, looking for guidance to do something different. Stepping alongside our clients/patients as a “think partner” allows working together to identify solutions to move the individual forward towards achieving their health goals.

Implementing solution-focused tactics leads to greater individualization of care through a brief intervention. We’ll give you a sneak peek of what we’ll share in our presentation…

7 practical tactics for your primary care toolbox:

Tactic 1: Open the visit with a question focused on what’s going well or how you can provide support

Tactic 2: Elicit exceptions by asking “exception questions”

Tactic 3: Use person-first, strengths-based language

Tactic 4: Practice problem-free talk

Tactic 5: Ask eliciting questions

Tactic 6: Ask future-visioning questions

Tactic 7: Use scaling questions to scale progress

We’ll be discussing each of these, providing a multitude of practical tips to implement them, and provide real-life examples.

Action Plan for Change

1.Identifies solutions (instead of problems) and how to make the exceptions happen more often.

2.Focuses on doing more of things that are going well (not on doing new things).

3.Identifies small steps to take toward what is desired (instead of what is NOT wanted).

4.Identify strengths one has/uses to help manage diabetes every day.

5.Considers how positive thinking and action affects life.

6.Recognizes what worked.

Stop back by in 2 weeks when we’ll share our favorite behavioral sessions we attended at the ADCES22 conference!

We welcome anyone interested in our approach to Subscribe to our blog and we’ll email you when a new post is published!

If you are a health care professional and interested in learning more about our solution-focused practice and approach, when you subscribe to our blog, we’ll send you in return a FREE resource of 10 Solution-Focused Questions to start a solution-focused discussion with your clients. 

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Deb is employed by Dexcom, but her words and opinions in this blog are her own.

Tami is employed by the University of Kentucky HealthCare Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, but her words and opinions in this blog are her own.