Utilising the ‘COM-B’ bio-psychosocial approach to aid diabetes management

With many individuals living with diabetes failing to make the necessary behaviour change to optimise glycaemic control¹ it is imperative that staff involved in their care have the skills required to guide them in this respect. The COM-B assists in this regard as it provides a behaviour-change model based on scientific evidence and theory in a practical and accessible format, which enables non-specialists to design and implement behaviour-change interventions. This paper reports a case of psychological assessment, formulation and intervention in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus associated anxiety and sub-optimal diabetes management. It highlights: (1) the importance of a bio-psychological approach to assessment and formulation; (2) the value of involving the patient in their care from the outset; and (3) the ease at which the COM-B can be routinely applied in clinical settings.