The dad of a diabetic relates his endeavours in trying to pin down diabetes technology definitions for a dictionary listing and explaining terms from COB (carbs on board) and ‘door handle moment’ to TIR (time in range) and xDrip…
Kevin Winchcombe describes himself an IT geek, but above everything, he says, he is ‘proud to call myself a diabetes dad’. His daughter Amy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2010 at the age of 10. Winchcombe has since become an active member of the Diabetes Online Community (DOC) on Twitter and Facebook. He is also a peer supporter for Hampshire-based Sugarbuddies, and is also a contributor at www.t1resources.uk
In January 2015 Winchcombe became involved with the DIY medical technology solution known as Nightscout, being one of the first people in the UK to build an xDrip device. He, his daughter and colleagues from the Nightscout UK support team went on to give many presentations to a wide range of people with diabetes and diabetes healthcare professionals in order to spread understanding of what Nightscout is (also known as the #wearenotwaiting movement) and the idea of do-it-yourself artificial pancreas systems (DIY APS), the users of which tend to just call it ‘looping’.
Kevin Winchcombe prior to a presentation about DIY APS at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh
Meanwhile, at www.t1resources.uk it became apparent that as diabetes tech came on leaps and bounds, there was going to be a need for some sort of glossary or dictionary of terms used, otherwise many folk would not understand what was being talked about. Winchcombe says, “It seemed like a good project and surely it would only take a day or two, right? Writing the website for the dictionary was no problem at all, however, getting all the definitions live was. I thought there would only be 50 or so, but we currently stand at nearly 300. I’ve also added some terms just for fun. It will continue to be added to and evolve.”
In a word
Click the link below to see work in progress. When you click through, you will see on the left is the most recent terms added to the dictionary, plus a random term that anyone visiting the site can learn about. Winchcombe says, “If there are any terms not listed, click the ‘Want us to add a new definition?’ link and say what you would like to find out about. If there are any definitions that you think are wrong, click the icon to the right of each explanation and let me know what to change.”
Click here: Dictionary of Diabetes Tech Terminology.
Clearly, as new technologies come about new terminologies will also appear, and from these phrases that users prefer start to be created, like ‘looping’. So this project is likely to be one that needs continual updating. But if you ever come across a word or acronym that you just don’t have a clue about, check out Winchcombe’s online reference tool and likely as not you’ll get an explanation.
For more about Winchcombe see his blog: www.circles-of-blue.winchcombe.org
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