21 — Partha Kar’s SPARK: Transforming diabetes care using his “Five-to-Drive-Change”

Suggest guests or get in contactProfessor Partha Kar joins The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast to unpack how the UK moved from research to reality in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and hybrid closed-loop systems (AID) — and how the same approach can be applied to any challenge in life or leadership.Through openness, accountability, and courage, Partha helped create one of the fastest national tech adoptions in healthcare history. At the centre of that journey sits a practical philosophy anyone can use: the S-P-A-R-K Mindset, his Five-to-Drive-Change Framework.It’s not just about diabetes care — it’s about how you make things happen.Get the Full show notes and SPARK downloadHelp the GNL Podcast reman independent by buying the GNL a CoffeePartha Kar on what matters:Implementation is where science becomes realSocial media can be a listening system and an accountability engine.Accountability ≠ blame — transparency builds trust.Equity starts with measuring bias and publishing it.Language and leadership shape safety.Every change starts with a SPARK.The S-P-A-R-K Mindset — Five-to-Drive-Change FrameworkS – Start small, prove it locally Change begins in your patch. Pilot, test, measure. Evidence beats opinion.P – Put your skin in the game If you believe in it, stand behind it. Take the risk, own the outcome.A – Accountability, not blame Use data to shine a light — RAG ratings, heat maps — but keep language neutral. Data should nudge, not shame.R – Reveal through listening True leadership starts with the community. Listen first; understand before you act.K – Keep language human Words shape behaviour. Talk with people, not at them. Better language builds safer systems.Chapters·        00:00 The CGM Journey: From Science to Street·        04:15 Harnessing Social Media for Change·        09:19 Accountability Without Blame·        14:29 Implementation Science in Action·        19:59 The Future of Diabetes Care·        20:54 Seeing Bias in the Data·        23:41 Paediatric Equality — Closing the Gap·        25:10 Peer Learning from Sweden·        28:00 Physician Associates — Safety and Scope·        31:45 Patient Safety and Accuracy in Tech·        35:35 Skin in the Game — Leadership With Consequences·        37:57 SPARK Recap — Five-to-Drive FrameworkGet the Full show notes and SPARK downloadHelp the GNL Podcast reman independent by buying the GNL a CoffeeSupport GNL: https://buy.stripe.com/9B63cx4UO3KEdKC0Sp7Re00The Glucose Never Lies® is a registered trademark of The GNL Ltd. Company No. 16733595. UK VAT No. GB 516 3272 08.DisclaimerThis podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by designWe do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:Buying the GNL a Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2EnquiriesCollaboration: John Pemberton — [email protected]: Anjanee Kohli — [email protected] The Glucose Never Lies®Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverliesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverliesLinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLiesDisclaimer This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.