Comprehensive Approach to Diabetes Education and Management

Core Components of Diabetes Education

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) should be provided to all patients with diabetes at diagnosis and at critical points throughout their care to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1, 2
A complete medical evaluation should be performed at the initial visit to classify diabetes, detect complications, review previous treatment, and formulate a management plan, according to the American Diabetes Association 3
The management plan should be written with input from the patient, family, physician, and other healthcare team members, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 3
Laboratory tests appropriate to each patient's medical condition should be completed as part of the initial evaluation, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 3

DSMES should address both survival skills and daily management issues, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 4, 2
Education should focus on helping patients make informed self-management choices rather than simply providing information, according to the American Diabetes Association 1
DSMES should be patient-centered and may be delivered in group or individual settings, with technology support as appropriate, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 2

Recognition, treatment, and prevention of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia should be included in DSMES, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 5
Medication administration, including insulin if prescribed, should be taught to patients, according to the American Diabetes Association 5
Self-monitoring of blood glucose and interpretation of results should be included in DSMES, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 5
Nutritional management and meal planning should be included in DSMES, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 4, 6

Diabetes care should be delivered by a collaborative, integrated team with expertise in diabetes, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 3
Patients must assume an active role in their care as part of this collaborative approach, according to the American Diabetes Association 3
Diabetes discharge planning should begin at admission and be updated as patient needs change, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 5
Prior to discharge, patients should receive education on identification of their diabetes care provider, blood glucose monitoring, medication administration, and sick day management, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 5

Clinical outcomes, health status, and well-being are key goals of DSMES that should be measured as part of routine care, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2
Ongoing support and follow-up after initial education should be provided to reinforce learning and address emerging challenges, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 2
Utilize telemedicine approaches to mitigate barriers to access to DSMES services, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2

Provide ongoing support and follow-up after initial education to reinforce learning and address emerging challenges, as suggested by the American Diabetes Association 2
Utilize telemedicine approaches to mitigate barriers to access to DSMES services, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 2