Management of diabetes is multidisciplinary and a team approach is the basis of care of the patient with diabetes, who is at the center of this team.
Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a very important aspect of management in all patients with diabetes, including those with prediabetes. Optimal control of blood sugar is important; but, it is also important to control other risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia in order to prevent the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes. Because of the need for lifestyle modifications, patients with diabetes are themselves responsible for the day to day management of diabetes, but with the support of the doctor.
For the first time, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) have combined education and support (DSMES) and released new standards to help diabetes educators and medical providers establish and sustain patient care models, programs and teams for people with diabetes and their caregivers. These guidelines will be published in the September 2017 issues of Diabetes Care and The Diabetes Educator.
These standards relate to organizational structure, participation of community stakeholders, access, program coordination, instructional staff, individualizing diabetes education to the need of each patient, monitoring of patient progress and quality improvement. An up-to-date, evidence-based, and flexible curriculum provides education.
These standards emphasize that DSME alone does not translate into effective self care. Ongoing support is very important to improve patient outcomes.
The standards defined in these recommendations can be applied to both small solo practices, as well as large, multicenter facilities.
(ADA Press Release, July 28, 2017)
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