Psychology & T1D diabetes care
Frank J. Snoek, Maria Teresa Anarte-Ortiz, Therese Anderbro, Katarzyna Cyranka, Christel Hendrieckx, Norbert Hermanns, Liliana Indelicato, Brian E. McGuire, Andreia Mocan, Giesje Nefs, William H. Polonsky, Rose Stewart, Michael Vallis
Roles and competencies of the clinical psychologist in adult diabetes care-A consensus report. Diabet Med. 2024 May;41(5):e15312.
Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face lifelong demands related to intensive self-management, hypoglycaemia risk, diabetes technology, and fear of complications. Psychological distress—including diabetes distress, anxiety, and depression—is common in this population and is associated with poorer self-care and reduced quality of life. Despite guideline recommendations to integrate psychological support into diabetes care, access to specialised psychological expertise for adults with T1D remains inconsistent across healthcare systems.
This international consensus report defines the roles and competencies of clinical psychologists working in adult diabetes care. Drawing on expert consensus from experienced diabetes psychologists and existing guideline and competency frameworks, the paper proposes a structured model to guide implementation, training, and collaboration within multidisciplinary diabetes teams.
Key findings:
- Clinical psychologists in adult T1D care fulfil four interconnected roles: clinician, advisor to the diabetes team, promoter of person-centred care, and researcher.
- Effective psychological care in T1D requires competencies that extend beyond general mental health training due to diabetes-specific behavioural and medical complexities.
- The authors define four core competencies—specialised diabetes knowledge, teamwork and consultation skills, psychological assessment, and psychotherapy—summarised in the STAP framework.
- Clinical psychologists support adults with T1D through screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based interventions targeting diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycaemia, and technology-related burden.
By clearly defining roles and competencies, this consensus supports more consistent integration of clinical psychologists into adult T1D care teams. Adoption of the proposed framework may improve access to specialised psychological care, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, and embed emotional well-being as a routine component of T1D management.
Concluding, the authors state
"The roles and competencies of clinical psychologists working in diabetes extend beyond the requirements of most university and post-graduate curricula, calling for comprehensive, accredited specialist training in diabetes care. " -
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