DCB “Patient Leaders” Become “Lived Experience Panel”

(Re-)Introducing the DCB Lived Experience Panel

At DCB, we deeply value the thriving community of individuals living with diabetes and their wealth of expertise gained from managing this condition daily. In 2021, we introduced the concept of “Patient Leaders” to serve as the global representatives of people living with diabetes, striving to bridge the gap between research, product innovation, and the invaluable experiences of our community members.

Aligned with the powerful #languagematters movement, which has gained momentum in recent years, DCB is dedicated to contributing to the destigmatization of diabetes and empowering individuals living with this condition to embrace their expertise.

Recognising the intricate and multifaceted knowledge within our community, we are proud to announce that our “Patient Leaders” will now be known as the “Lived Experience Panel.” This change is motivated by the belief that individuals living with diabetes embody more than just the term “patients.” The term “patient” can inadvertently imply a passive role within the healthcare realm, whereas in reality, individuals are the active agents in their own complex diabetes management.

DCB is delighted to have such a diverse and insightful community of lived experience experts. This shift in nomenclature aims to underline our commitment to acknowledging the expertise and agency of individuals within our community. We eagerly anticipate the journey ahead as we continue to work collectively towards making life better for those living with diabetes.

“The term ‘patient’ implies the person is a passive recipient of care, rather than an active agent in his or her own selfcare. Patients are people, and people are individuals, with their own preferences, priorities and lives beyond diabetes.”

– Language Matters Position Paper, Diabetes Australia

To learn more about the members of the DCB Lived Experience Panel, please visit our Community Page. If you yourself live with any type of diabetes and are interested in becoming a lived experience expert with DCB, please reach out with a short introduction to community@dcberne.com