own health

[sofaraway04]

hi there im a second year student, my next clinical placement is a diabetes and endocrinology ward. The thing is that i am diabetic myself, and i was wondering about revealing this. To the members if staff this isn't an issue i normally do it for every placement. But what about the patients? Do you think it would be better to just not reveal it to anyone, or to take each situation into account?

any views would be welcome

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think its up to you. Personally, I would wear a medic-alert bracelet and I wouldn't tell people. However, I'm an intensely private person and don't want people knowing my private information.

[humglum, BSN, RN]

Ditto that. I don't see how its relevant, unless you are frequently having hypo or hyperglycemic episodes that may require treatment. I certainly wouldn't reveal it to patients.

[Guest70758]

It is not always appropriate to self-disclose to patients, so I would also advise against it. It may be okay on occasion to use yourself as an example of a person who has succesfully managed the disorder and has not let it prevent them from doing anything, but this can often come across as egotistical or patronizing. It really really depends on the situation. But as a general rule, I wouldn't do it.