Priority Setting for Patients with Multiple Comorbidities: Diabetes May Not End Up Number One

Excerpt

Kerr and colleagues evaluated the relationship between types (related and unrelated to diabetes, microvascular and macrovascular), number, and severity of comorbidities with patients’ prioritization of diabetes and perception of their ability to carry out diabetes self-care management tasks.1 The authors remind us that our continuing desire to focus on treatment of a single disease at a time does not match the vast majority of our patients who have multiple diagnoses. Kerr argues that the importance of this work is delving into the nuances of which comorbidities are more or less influential on patient prioritization (and not just raw counts of comorbidities). However, I would argue the importance is in reminding us that we do a lousy job of integrating information and treatment for a given patient. We need to coach patients with diabetes to make the best decisions for their circumstances, even if that means deciding not to prioritize diabetes. …