Emergency

Diabetes Counselling

Keeping blood sugar levels under control is a daily challenge for people with diabetes. The worry about complications can also be a source of stress. At the specialist diabetes counselling service at Zuger Kantonsspital, you will receive expert, comprehensive support in managing your diabetes.

Aims of the specialist diabetes counselling service

Early and consistent diabetes management helps to prevent complications. This is why providing information on managing diabetes is so important for those affected. Experienced diabetes specialists will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills you need to manage the condition safely.

The aim of our counselling service is to enable patients to enjoy a good quality of life and lead independent lives well into old age.

Specialist diabetes counselling: how we work

Our experienced diabetes specialists provide holistic care for people with diabetes, tailored to their individual needs and circumstances, and always based on the latest scientific evidence.

We offer specialist counselling and training sessions in German, English, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian. For other languages, we call upon an external interpreter where necessary.

Diabetes education for patients

Living with diabetes mellitus requires you to carry out various measures independently and regularly as part of your daily routine. Thorough diabetes education helps you to better understand your condition and manage it confidently. This enables you to improve your treatment, avoid complications and enhance your quality of life.

In our specialist diabetes training and counselling sessions, you will learn, amongst other things:

  • Managing diabetes mellitus in everyday life
  • Measuring blood sugar and interpreting the results correctly
  • Administering insulin safely
  • How to use and manage glucose sensors and insulin pump systems
  • Taking medication correctly
  • Dealing with emergency situations
  • Measures to take in the event of low or high blood sugar
  • The effect of different foods on blood sugar
  • Exercise and choosing the right sporting activity
  • Early detection of complications
  • Foot care and referrals to a podiatrist
  • Referrals to specialist services

 

Specialist diabetes training for family members

Relatives are also welcome to attend the consultations. Well-informed relatives not only provide emotional support but also play a key role in the successful management of diabetes. Through the training sessions, they gain a better understanding of the condition and are able to provide targeted support to those affected in their day-to-day lives.

Holistic advice thanks to interdisciplinary collaboration

Specialist diabetes counselling is a sub-speciality of endocrinology/diabetology. Our team conducts over 2,000 outpatient and inpatient consultations each year. We work closely with the nutritional advice & therapy, GPs in private practice, and our specialists in gynaecology, nephrology, cardiology, neurology and angiology.

Outpatient and inpatient diabetes counselling

We treat out-patient patients following referral by their hospital or GP. We advise women with gestational diabetes during a special consultation following referral by their treating gynaecologist.

Our diabetes specialists care for hospitalised patients with diabetes mellitus directly within the hospital, under the medical supervision of the Endocrinology / Diabetology department. Any consultations that have not yet been completed are continued on an outpatient basis by the same team following discharge from hospital.

Services

  • Providing information on diabetes mellitus (Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, special forms such as MODY diabetes, diabetes associated with pancreatic disorders, and diabetes caused by medication, e.g. cortisone)
  • Advice on specific situations such as driving, travelling, illness, diabetes and pregnancy, before and after hospitalisation or surgery, and particular work-related circumstances
  • Instructions for self-monitoring of blood glucose
  • Discussion of diabetes treatments (using tablets and/or insulin)
  • Using insulin pens, insulin injections, accessories and insulin
  • Educating patients on how to manage hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis
  • Instructions for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
  • Insulin pump therapy: training on all insulin pump models authorised and available in Switzerland, and ongoing support
  • Preventive measures to address complications and potential long-term consequences of diabetes mellitus
  • Discussion of foot care in diabetes mellitus, recommendations for podiatry
  • Facilitating contacts with specialist organisations and government departments
  • Prevention and public relations in cooperation with the Zug Diabetes Society
  • Sale of diabetic supplies on site

Management

Further Information

Further Links

Der Schweizer Forum von Diabetikern für Diabetiker

Diabetesgesellschaft Zug

Podiatry

self-help groups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who would benefit from a specialist diabetes consultation?

A specialist diabetes counselling service is suitable for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, other forms of diabetes, and their relatives. The counselling can significantly improve the success of diabetes treatment.

How does specialist diabetes counselling help in everyday life?

During a specialist diabetes counselling session, you will learn how to measure your blood sugar, administer insulin correctly and plan your meals. You will also receive advice on managing diabetes in general, on exercise and on what to do in emergency situations. This improves your confidence in daily life, adherence to treatment and quality of life.

How often should you attend a diabetes counselling session?

The frequency depends on your individual situation and should be discussed with your doctor. Following diagnosis, intensive training is usually recommended, followed by regular refresher sessions. It is also advisable to attend a diabetes counselling session if there are changes to your treatment, complications or uncertainties about managing the condition.

Do I need a referral for specialist diabetes counselling?

Diabetes counselling is usually arranged following a referral from your GP or hospital doctor. In the case of gestational diabetes, your treating gynaecologist will refer you to the specialist clinic.