Working life: Dr Claire Gavin, consultant endocrinologist and physician, Mater Private Hospital

6.15am

I have two boys, Hugo, eight, and Daragh, 10, and we generally have plenty to tell each other.

7.30am

I spend the half hour before clinic catching up with the team in our unit which includes a diabetes nurse specialist, a podiatrist (specialist in treatment of conditions of the foot), a dietician and a secretary.

As an endocrinologist, I treat patients with hormonal disorders and I have a special interest in diabetes.

8am

We see new and returning patients at the clinic. For those newly diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important to get the message across from day one that lifestyle changes can make the condition more manageable. If patients take that on board, they’re more likely to avoid complications down the line.

11am

The conversation with return patients is a bit different. Because it’s a progressive disease, treatment needs to be stepped up as time goes on.

Intensive treatment reduces complications but can sometimes result in low blood sugars. This can cause episodes of confusion.

This type of scenario can be worrisome for patients and we see people taking chances with their treatment to avoid low blood sugars.

We try to educate and motivate them to control their condition in the best and safest way possible using the best combination of evidence-based treatments.

1pm

I take a quick break before heading to the wards to see inpatients, many of whom are cardiac patients. A lot of people don’t understand the connection between the heart and diabetes.

If you’ve had sugar furring up your arteries for years, it increases risk to your heart.

We screen cardiac patients for pre-diabetes, the phase before becoming diabetic. So far we’ve found about half either had pre-diabetes or diabetes in addition to their cardiac condition.

4pm

I review test results and phone patients and make onward referrals. I also meet colleagues about research work. In addition to diabetes, I treat thyroid disorders, osteoporosis and patients who are overweight as a result of metabolic disorders.

5.30pm

I head home to the kids. My husband is great for cooking dinner. I continue to take calls from the wards about patients when issues arise. I get out for a run when I can.

* Dr Claire Gavin, consultant endocrinologist and physician, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin