The Conversation We’re Not Having—But Should Be

When it comes to chronic disease prevention, awareness is everything. But what if the very patients at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) don’t fully grasp their risk level? And what if their healthcare providers aren’t consistently engaging them in conversations about it? Newly published research—enabled by PreventScripts—reveals a crucial disconnect: Patients want to understand their diabetes risk, but they often don’t initiate the conversation. Our study sheds light on the knowledge gaps, patient perceptions, and the critical role providers play in turning awareness into action.

‍

The Myths That Keep Patients (and Providers) Stuck‍

1: Patients Understand Their Risk and Know How to Reduce It

The Reality:

• 84% of patients underestimated their actual diabetes risk.
• 35% doubted the accuracy of their risk score.

The Problem: 

• Patients aren’t just unaware of their risk—they also struggle to believe the numbers when they see them. 
• This skepticism highlights the need for structured, provider-led conversations that build trust and bridge the gap between data and action.‍

2: Patients Don’t Want to Talk About Their Risk

The Reality:

• 96% of patients in the study wanted to know their risk level.
• Less than 20% actually shared their score with their doctor.

The Problem: 

• The desire for information is there, but the system isn’t designed to facilitate these discussions in a seamless way. 
• Without a structured approach, opportunities for proactive prevention are missed.

3: Talking About Risk Doesn’t Change Patient Behavior

The Reality:

• Most patients remembered their risk score days later.
• 61% felt motivated to take action after receiving their score.

The Problem:

• Awareness is only the first step—patients need ongoing support to translate that motivation into sustained lifestyle changes.
• Providers need efficient, scalable tools to integrate risk discussions into their workflow without adding extra burden.

Turning Awareness Into Action—Seamlessly

PreventScripts eliminates the guesswork by automating patient risk assessments and equipping providers with real-time insights. Our approach ensures: 

✔ Patients walk into appointments informed. 

✔ Providers have the tools to engage at-risk patients immediately. 

✔ Preventive action is taken in the moment—without disrupting workflow.

‍

The Bottom Line

Patients trust their doctors, but without structured engagement, crucial prevention opportunities slip through the cracks. PreventScripts provides a systematic, scalable way to assess risk, educate patients, and initiate preventive care—making proactive health conversations the norm, not the exception.

🔗 Read the full study here.

‍

‍