Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42165706›Full record

ReviewDiabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association2026

Language matters: Guidance for person-centred diabetes communication in Ireland.

C Breen, S Powell, E Patterson, M Finnegan, A M McInerney, G Flynn, A Coyle, K Gajewska, H Kavanagh, D Cunningham and 13 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Language matters: Guidance for person-centred diabetes communication in Ireland.Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

23 authors.

C BreenDiabetes and Obesity Services, Endocrine Unit, St Columcille's Hospital, HSE, Dublin, Ireland.
S PowellDiabetes Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
E PattersonHealth Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
M FinneganUCD School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
A M McInerneyDepartment of Population-Based Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1576-1801
G FlynnThriveabetes Founder, Clare, Ireland.
A CoyleCentre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
K GajewskaDiabetes Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
H KavanaghDiabetic Retina Screen, National Screening Service, HSE, Dublin, Ireland.
D CunninghamGalway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
J LoweDiabetes Integrated Care Hub, Clonskeagh, Dublin, Ireland.
B KellyCommunity Healthcare West, HSE, Galway, Ireland.
E C MorrisseyCentre for Health Research Methodology, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
C KeighronUniversity of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
M MurphyIrish Coalition for People living with Obesity (ICPO), Dublin, Ireland.
L DevineIrish College of GPs (ICGP), Dublin, Ireland.
N DeasyNational Screening Service, HSE, Dublin, Ireland.
R FordeSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
A M CreavenDepartment of Psychology & Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
M LowryDiscipline of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
S BirneyIrish Coalition for People living with Obesity (ICPO) Executive Director and ASOI Patient Representative, Ireland.
S DeschenesUCD School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9258-0895
T P GriffinCentre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1625-9394

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

aimsLanguage is a powerful tool that shapes how people experience diabetes, their engagement with care and ultimately their outcomes. This guidance document for healthcare professionals in Ireland outlines why Language Matters in diabetes care and aims to support person-centred, strengths-based and non-judgemental communication.

methodsThe guidance was developed by an Irish multidisciplinary working group, including healthcare professionals, researchers and people with lived experience of diabetes. The group drew on international Language Matters guidance, published evidence, Irish data on diabetes-related language, stigma, distress and healthcare engagement, and insights from lived experience to develop practical recommendations for person-centred diabetes communication.

resultsStigmatising or judgemental words can contribute to diabetes distress, disengagement and suboptimal self-management. This guidance provides practical recommendations to foster collaboration, reduce stigma and improve quality of life. Key recommendations include using person-first language, avoiding blame and fear, ensuring consistency across teams, and embedding reflective practice and communication training within healthcare teams.

conclusionsLanguage is a core component of diabetes care. Consistent use of respectful, empathetic and non-judgemental communication may strengthen therapeutic relationships, support engagement with care and help create a culture in which people living with diabetes feel understood, respected and empowered.

Indexed as

CommunicationDiabetes MellitusLanguagePatient-Centered CareHumansIrelandQuality of LifeSocial Stigmadiabetesoutcomespsychology

Identifiers

PMID42165706
PMCPMC13257905

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.