Pernille Horsted Kjær
Diabetes is one of the diseases that have been researched extensively by medical science. However, a great many pieces of the puzzle are still missing. Some of these pieces could perhaps be identified by involving the experiences of the patients themselves. The information they give their treatment provider about their symptoms, quality of life, social background and insulin use is a treasure trove of knowledge.
Patient involvement as the key to better diabetes treatment
Improving the ability of treatment providers to include patients’ own experiences would lead to more personalised therapies and better quality of life – and it would also make it easier for patients to adhere to their treatment.
This is the opinion of Pernille Horsted Kjær who is currently preparing to participate in the Lundbeck Foundation DARE (Danish-American Research Exchange) programme. She will be conducting research on patient involvement at the University of California, San Francisco.
Pernille is one of five medical students who were accepted into this year’s DARE programme. This will give her the opportunity to work with some of the most eminent researchers in the field to improve treatment of one of the world’s most common endemic diseases. More than 260,000 Danes suffer from diabetes. Moreover, many thousands probably have type 2 diabetes without actually knowing it.
Together with researchers at Aalborg University Hospital, Pernille has designed a questionnaire to be filled out by patients. At a consultation based on the questionnaire, the doctor or nurse will discuss the development of the disease with the patient and then adjust treatment in collaboration with the patient. Pernille is taking the expertise she has gained in Denmark with her to California where a similar system is in the pipeline. Her aim is both to provide inspiration and to draw inspiration from the US researchers.
Pernille is normally a medical student at the University of Aalborg.