| CHAPTER 5: | Patient and Healthcare Professional Education Programs and Councils | |
| Topic 1 | Diabetes Educators |
American Association of Diabetes
Self-management also called diabetes education, provides knowledge and skill training to patients with diabetes. Diabetes educators help patients identify barriers, facilitate problem solving and develop coping skills to effectively manage their diabetes.
Self-management paves the way for better health and independence in lifestyle choices.
Diabetes Educators:
Diabetes educators are healthcare professionals, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, doctors, and social workers, who specialize in the treatment of people with diabetes. Diabetes educators help people with diabetes develop the self management skills needed to overcome the daily challenges and problems caused by the disease.
The goal of diabetes self-management training is to achieve behavioral change in the following areas:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Medication Management
- Blood Sugar Monitoring
- Problem solving for high/low blood glucose and sick days
- Reducing risk factors from complications
Diabetes self-management training occurs over a four to six month period.
CONTACT INFORMATION
American Association of Diabetes Educators | 100 W. Monroe Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60603 | 800-338-3633
To locate a diabetes educator in Illinois: | 800-832-6874 | www.diabetes.org/education/edustate2.asp