Certified Diabetes Educator: Role in Management of Patient Care
Healthful Vitality | 08/19/2021 | By Guest Contributor | Certified Diabetes Educator
Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects a large proportion of the population. For instance, about 72.9 million people are diagnosed with this medical condition. The disease is becoming more prevalent worldwide, creating pressure on healthcare professionals. Consequently, this situation has led to the development of an emerging field called certified diabetes educator (CDE). [1]
Notably, due to an increasing number of patients affected with diabetes and an inadequate workforce in healthcare organizations, it is becoming challenging for physicians to provide adequate care to diabetic patients. Therefore, CDE plays a crucial role in educating and helping patients to manage this condition effectively. Additionally, CDE ensures patients receive all the necessary information, including preventive and behavioral interventions that can minimize risks and complications associated with diabetes. [1]
Who is a Certified Diabetes Educator?
A certified diabetes educator (CDE) is a medical professional specializing in providing preventive methods and management approaches related to diabetes. Indeed, being well-trained in this field, CDE has the ability and experience to share knowledge and skills comprehensively. Certainly, CDE acts as an essential link between physician and patient. The primary role of CDE involves modifying patients’ behavior and developing self-management skills. Admittedly, behavioral changes are promoted by adopting the following methods. [2]
- Thorough evaluation of patient’s condition
- Establishing a goal
- Preparing a treatment plan
- Implementation of the plan
- Assessment of patients’ behavior and documenting it
Role of Certified Diabetes Educator
The role of CDE is unique as CDE is an integral part of facilitating excellence when it comes to providing diabetes care. The role of CDE includes:
- Provides education regarding diabetes and builds skills.
- Acts as a consultant for diabetes education.
- Develops a sense of accountability in patients by conducting behavioral sessions.
- Provides emotional support and creates a healthy lifestyle management plan.
- Creates awareness regarding the complications associated with diabetes at an early stage.
- Forms a connecting link between the patient and physician [3]
Clinical significance of CDE in improving patient’s health
Patient engagement with CDE will improve overall health outcomes as regular education and skill training will be involved. In addition, this patient-centric approach will promote the development of healthy eating habits. Healthcare professionals and CDE will be better positioned to help patients as they can share personalized dietary plans and self-management knowledge. Therefore, this will prove beneficial in the long run.
Strategies for Prevention of diabetes
- CDE helps individuals to learn and apply knowledge, manage behavioral problems, develops coping strategies, and instigate problem-solving attitudes. As diabetes is influenced by several factors, assessing the role of these aspects will help the patient understand and manage his condition better. [4]
- CDE ensures that different medical conditions and their influence on patient’s well-being is taken care appropriately.
- Adjustment of medications, dietary habits, physical activity and regular follow-ups is effectively managed by CDE to maximize quality of life.
- CDE helps patients deal with physical limitations associated with diabetes, such as visual impairment and physical activity restrictions. [5]
Concluding Remarks
Diabetes is a complex and debilitating condition where the patient is required to adequately follow a self-care approach such as proper diet, medications, and physical activity. CDE helps diabetes patients to develop self-management skills and provides necessary education regarding diabetes. Therefore, CDE ensures that adequate support and information is provided to reduce the risk of the development of diabetes.
References:
1. Cho NH, Shaw JE, Karuranga S, et al. IDF Diabetes Atlas: global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2017 and projections for 2045. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2018;138:271–281, Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31518657/
2. Joshi et al.,Certified Diabetes Educator: An Important Aid in Improving Patient Care in Diabetes, Soc Health Diab 2019;7:3–5, Available at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0039-1683464
3. American Association of Diabetes Educators. Reimbursement tips for primary care practice [Internet], 2009. Available at: https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/practice/practice-resources/comp003.pdf
4. Tang TS, Funnell M, Sinco B, et al. Comparative effectiveness of peer leaders and community health workers in diabetes self-management support: results of a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care 2014;37:1525–1534. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24722495/
5. Allen NA. The Diabetes Educator in the History of Diabetes Nursing, 1914–1936, 2003;29:976–989, Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14692372/