Diabetes Q&A

ADA/AADE Released New Standards for Diabetes Self-Management

The American Diabetes Association and American Association of Diabetes Educators have released revised National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management, Education, and Support, which include 10 standards designed to help providers establish Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services within their communities.

“This revision of the Standards highlights the focus of the individual with diabetes as the center of their care team,” the authors wrote. “The focus of the Standards should include helping the person with diabetes develop problem-solving skills and attain ongoing decision-making support necessary to self-manage diabetes.”
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The revised Standards outline recommendations for internal structure, including establishing goals and seeking input from stakeholders within the community, the importance of understanding the community that providers intend to serve, members of the services team (including a quality coordinator who will ensure the quality of the program and monitor improvement), and core curriculum content and recommendations for ensuring that all patients receive optimal education for managing their condition.

In addition, the Standards include:

  • Recommendations for assessments, including patients’ cultural beliefs and knowledge of diabetes, to determine optimal methods for establishing goals and designing curriculum to help patients manage diabetes.
  • Assisting patients with locating resources for ongoing support and determining the best strategies to ensure patients will continue to effectively self-manage their diabetes.
  • Communicating with patients on whether they have achieved their personal goals, and adjusting goals and management strategies accordingly with patients.

“Quality DSMES continues to be a critical element of care for all people with diabetes,” the authors concluded. “The DSMES services must be individualized and guided by the concerns, preferences, and needs of the person affected by diabetes.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Beck J, Greenwood DA, Blanton L, et al. 2017 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support [published online July 28, 2017]. Diabetes Educ. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721717722968