If
you’ve just been recently diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, consider looking for Diabetes
Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) training near you. This will help
you learn all about your diabetes and how to monitor and control your blood
sugars day to day through self-care skills like healthy eating and being active.
Decades of research show
self-managing your diabetes reduces complications and emergencies down the
road.
Here
are 10 simple questions you might ask your primary care provider or endocrinologist at your next appointment
to make sure you get the education you need to empower you for healthy living.
But
what exactly should you be looking for — realistically — in a diabetes
education program?
Are these classes certified?
Only
classes certified by either the American Diabetes Association (ADA) or the American
Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) are recognized as meeting all national
standards for effective diabetes self-care training. That doesn’t mean support
outside of these options isn’t also helpful, but these certified courses have a
seal of approval.
Are the classes taught by Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE)?
This
additional board license for heathcare providers, like registered dietitians and
nurses, is still the gold standard for ensuring you’re getting the highest
quality teaching and coaching in diabetes self-care.
Are the classes covered by my insurance provider or Medicare?
On
diagnosis, Medicare covers up to 10 hours of diabetes self-management education
and up to two hours of follow-up every year after that. Most states also now
require all public and private health insurance plans to cover diabetes
self-management education.
Talk to
your insurance provider about your specific coverage.
Are there group and one-on-one options?
Self-care
training can be delivered in a variety of comparably effective forms.
Group-based education is more widespread because it’s more cost effective, and
often preferred because it allows you to meet and hear from others living with
diabetes.
Do the educators use a standard curriculum?
While
the basic self-care skills for your diabetes are the same, recognized curricula
like the International Diabetes Center BASICS Diabetes Curriculum are based on
the latest clinical science. They also come with a guide for you to take home
and will be customized by your educators working closely with you to fit your
lifestyle, personal preferences, health history, medications and goals. One
size of training won’t fit everyone.
Do the classes have a successful track record?
You’ll
want to know that your educators are tracking, recording as part of your
permanent medical record, and sharing with you and your primary healthcare
provider how you’re doing as a result of classes, including:
·
What topical areas about diabetes and diabetes self-care you’ve
learned
·
Which areas you might need more time on
·
What your A1C blood glucose levels and other key
medical indicators mean
·
How you’re progressing on meeting your particular self-care
behavioral goals like following a food plan.
Certified
programs must maintain results demonstrating their effectiveness.
Are the classes at convenient times and locations?
With
families, work schedules or other personal responsibilities, programs offering
different days and times every week, as well as different locations for
training, can make it easier.
Can I bring along a family member with me?
Many
programs encourage this, as having an informed personal support system is shown
to help you stay on track with your daily self-care.
“One of
the best ways to predict how well someone will manage their diabetes: how much
support they get from family and friends.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Is there a free diabetes support group available?
Regularly
connecting with others living with diabetes and hearing hosted healthcare
experts on the latest diabetes topics, trends and treatments are great ways to
keep you encouraged, motivated and current on diabetes best practices.
Will you refer me to these classes?
Attending
diabetes self-management education requires your healthcare provider to write
you a formal referral to classes. It’s easy — simply ask your provider for one
or contact a diabetes educator to assist you.
Diabetes
education works. Get connected with diabetes education and support near
you.
Authored
By Lynn McLellan, RD, CDE
Lynn McLellan is a registered dietician,
certified diabetes educator and the current coordinator for the Diabetes
Self-Management Education program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple.
The program launched in 1981 and is now among the longest running,
ADA-certified diabetes education classes in the U.S. The program also hosts a
free monthly diabetes support group open to the community.
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