ADA Boston

Diabetes education and support are needed throughout a persons´ life, not just at diagnosis. It has always been acknowledged as a key part of diabetes care.

Scientific evidence supports a structure for education. We know that education works. Research has shown that diabetes education and support will

• improves outcome
• helping to reduce HbA1c
• reducing the onset and/or advancement of diabetes complication
• improving life style behaviors such as eating a more healthful diet
improving exercise more frequently
• decreaseing diabetes-related distress and depression and
• studies have also shown it to be cost effective by reducing hospital admissions an readmissions.

There is a need of a clear cut set of guiding principles with algorithm for starting, also for for When to provide and HOW to assess a patient´s needs for education and support, also WHAT type of self-amangement education and support should be delivered.

If patients believe that their physicians think diabetes education is important, they take it a lot more seriously. Patients do trust their providers.

NOW it comes, launched at the ADA Meeting with a joint statement published online concurrently in the journals of Diab Care, The Diabetes Educator and the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The statement highlights four critical times for assessing the need for diabetes education and support

1. at diagnosis
2. on annual levels
3. when new complicating factors influence self-management
4. when transition in care occurs.

The statement also provide guidance on the type of information and support the patient might need at these critical junctures.

1. For example, the guidelines suggest that immediately following diagnosis education should focus on safety concerns, coping with the diagnosis,  and the process of incorporating self-management into daily life.

2. Annual assessments would review and reass treatment goals and self-management needs, problem-solving skills, make any needed adjustment of therapy and address any concerns or question the patient may have.

3. Complicating factors could include new health conditions or physical limitations.

5. Life transitions and changes in health status would require more personalized information and support to help patient address individual needs.

The algorithm also outlines the content to be taught, roles, and actions steps recommended for both the referring provider and the diabeets educator.

Go to Diab Care free and read more, 11 pages, and print it out, now

 

”Diabetes Self-management Education and Support in type 2 diabetes; a soint position statement of the ADA, the Am Assoc of Educators and the Acad of Nutrition and Diabetes”

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2015/06/02/dc15-0730.full.pdf+html

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