The human insulin issue: One district's response to individuals. Case studies and lessons learnt

A systematic but individual approach was employed in one District with all diabetic patients who requested the change from human insulin to animal insulin. Psychometric assessments and clinical interviews were recorded throughout the process. There are strong suggestions that problems with control were erroneously attributed by the patients to the human insulin, and this view was given validity by the media. Nevertheless, accepting patients' preferences and giving them control led to a good outcome in terms of emotional adjustment. This approach demonstrates a patientcentred approach wherein objective medical evidence is but one source of information upon which to base clinical practice.