Diabetes Self Management Education Program Guidelines

For patients with diabetes, diabetes self-management education programs (DSMEs) give patients the tools they need to successfully control their diabetes. Through education, discussion and instruction on medications and monitoring, patients develop a better understanding about the implications of diabetes and how lifestyle changes including diet and exercise can reduce the need for medications. The American Diabetes Association and American Association of Diabetes Educators developed the following guidelines to ensure DSMEs are relevant and have positive outcomes on patients.

Written Structure

• Developing goals and objectives is an important part of initially establishing a DSME. Before ever seeing patients, diabetes educator(s) must create documents that detail the program's mission statement, goals and organizational structure. The goals should be clearly defined in order to ensure the support programs offered match the goals listed.

  Additionally, a DSME program may wish to appoint an advisory board who can help plan future programs

Clarify Target Population

• A DSME must have a clear definition of who the program's target population is. Consider factors such as ethnicity, age and educational level. These factors are important to consider because they help to define barriers to access for the program. Once educators know who their target audience is, they know not only whom to gear the program toward but also how to help others overcome common fears or anxieties associated with entering such a program.

  A program should be overseen by a certified diabetes educator, who must be either a registered nurse, dietitian or pharmacist. An additional measure taken is that the diabetes educator should also establish a way to help participants gain access to further information and expertise should a patient require it. The program also can include consultations or presentations from other healthcare providers, including a physician, exercise physiologist, optometrist or podiatrist.

Written Curriculum

• The program's goals are not the only thing that should be obtained in writing. The general curriculum should be written down, yet include certain elements when working with patients. In the realm of education, the program leader should describe what diabetes is and how it is treated; how diet and physical activity affects diabetes; and how safely using medications can improve a person's condition. The program should also address and demonstrate medication management, such as how to monitor blood glucose, interpret testing results and what to do if the results are not within the desired ranges. Lastly, the program should address a person's mental needs in regards to diabetes treatment: What kind of mental roadblocks does a patient have that may keep them from instituting the changes necessary to best care for his or her diabetes? For this reason, counseling is an important aspect of DSME programs.

Individualized Assessment

• While many DSMEs include group therapy as a portion of their program, the emphasis on the individual's condition and unique needs is of the utmost importance. The DSME should feature an individualized counseling session that not only assesses a patient's ability to control diabetes, but also allows the patient to have sensitive questions answered, such as getting financial assistance for medications or personal issues and concerns related to the patient's diagnosis.

Documentation

• While this component does not directly benefit patients, documentation does ensure a program receives the proper funding and is able to continue. Additionally, documenting patient sessions helps to evaluate the program's effectiveness in meeting goals and objectives.