diabetes spectacular

Today, into town for a full day's intensive course on diabetes at a reasonably fancy hotel. It has to be a relevant subject for any GP- there are 3 million diabetics in Britain, and poorly controlled, it kills early and the route to death, with horrible leg ulcers, peripheral neuropathy and heart attacks is not very pretty. Well controlled, sufferers can lead an (almost) normal life, though they are set for a life of hassle, with the need for self monitoring and frequent trips to the doctor throughout their lives. But it obviously doesn't destroy people: after all, Steve Redgrave is an insulin dependent diabetic and he sort of did OK.

For myself, I spent much of the day in private reverie, trying to decide whether I should retire altogether on a full pension when I reach my 60th birthday next January, or whether to continue doing 2 sessions a week, which is my current plan. The day's study hasn't helped. I keep feeling out of my depth, dragged down by outdated knowledge (I know these sessions are supposed to remedy that, but I just kept feeling a growing sense of inadequacy) Fortunately I did notice not a few other peers who appeared similarly confused- this is reassuring at least- I do not appear to be alone. Perhaps the quality of the teaching had something to do with it: lacklustre, uninspiring and repetitive might characterise it. Yes, that's the problem: it's them, not me.