Using the AIM Method to take control of your diabetes management
Goal
To use the AIM Method to get more out of medical appointments, improve communication with your medical provider, manage your medications and any side effects, and keep up your medical supplies.
The AIM method continues to build on your growing control of your diabetes management. There are three steps to the AIM method:
Articulate your goal for the topic you’re working on currently.- Identify any possible barriers to your goal and what might get in your way.
- Make a plan to overcome the barriers and meet your goal. Then, make a back-up plan.
Think back to the S.M.A.R.T. goals that you wrote in the last lesson. The AIM method helps you take the goals you wrote and develop action plans to move forward with the goals. You can use the AIM method to refocus on your goals whenever you aren’t happy with how you rated your progress the week before, or if something new is coming up that may change how you reach your goals, such as going on vacation.
Jo’s Story
Let’s return to the story of Jo, the young woman who feels very frustrated about her medical routine. One reason she feels so frustrated is because she does not currently have good communication or a positive relationship with her medical team. Using the AIM method, she can try to make some changes to that. First, she will articulate her goal:
“I will ask my doctor what a good range for my blood sugar is and to help me identify three steps I can take to keep it in that range.”
Next, Jo will identify anything that could keep her from this goal.
“Sometimes, I forget my questions at the doctor’s office. Sometimes, I am intimidated and don’t feel comfortable asking questions. The doctor’s office may be busy during my appointment and the doctor won’t have time. Or the doctor could be running late and I won’t have time to ask my questions.”
Finally, Jo makes a plan to reach her goal, and a back-up plan to overcome the barriers that might come up. First, she decides to write down her questions in a notebook so that she can write down the doctor’s answers, and also puts a reminder in her phone with the questions so that she will see them right before she goes to the appointment. As her back-up plan in case the doctor’s office is busy at her appointment time, when she calls to schedule her next appointment, she asks to have her questions noted as the reason for her appointment. She thinks this will help keep the appointment focused on her questions, and it will keep her from forgetting them, as well.
Your turn using AIM with your medical appointments
Now, you use the AIM method in the following areas. You’ll notice that each one will have questions to get you thinking and possibly answers to the questions. You can write your AIM plan on a piece of paper or share it in the Diabetes Forum.
Let’s start with getting the most out of medical appointments using the AIM method.
First: Articulate the goal for medical appointments, such as being a few minutes early, learning more information about your diagnosis, or simply checking on your progress. How often do you have appointments? Where are the appointments located?
Second: Identify potential barriers. What might cause you to miss an appointment? Does your work schedule conflict? Do you live very far away?
Third: Make a plan and a back-up plan.In your plan, try to account for as many of the barriers you had previously brainstormed as possible. You may consider leaving work early to account for traffic, scheduling appointments on days when you don’t have meetings, or only days when you can be off work or work from home.
Your turn using AIM to communicate with your medical provider
Now, let’s use the AIM method to improve communication with your medical provider to improve your communication, especially around remembering any questions you have, remembering the information they give you, and calming any nerves you may have before visits.
First: Articulate your goal for communication with your medical provider, such as being comfortable asking questions, getting advice on self-care activities, or questions about changes in your medications. What questions do you want to ask about your symptoms, medications, side effects, or recommended self-care behaviors?
Second: Identify potential barriers. Do you feel uncomfortable talking with your provider? Do you feel that they are too busy to talk to you? Do you forget what you want to ask?
Third: Make a plan and a back-up plan. Consider bringing your questions on an index card, in a notebook, or a piece of paper so you can have them with you and a place to write down any answers they give.
Your turn using AIM to manage your medications, side effects, and medical supplies
This time, apply AIM to managing your medication and possible side effects.
First: Articulate any problems with adherence that may emerge due to side effects. What kinds of effects do you experience? Which of your medications do you think are causing the side effects? Where do you get the medications and supplies? How do you pay for them? How do you get to your pharmacy? When do you ask for a refill from your doctor? Have you ever run out of your supplies? When do you ask for a refill from your pharmacy?
Second: Identify potential barriers. Have your side effects gotten in the way of your taking your medication? What have you done about the side effects so far? Have you been able to talk to your doctor about them? What might cause you to run out of your supplies or medication? What might get in the way of getting to your pharmacy?
Third: Make a plan and a back-up plan