Standards Revised for Diabetes Self-Management Education

Joint task force produces first update of standards since 2000

THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- A task force, including diabetes educators, researchers and clinicians, has produced the first update of the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) since 2000. The new standards have been published in a supplement of the January issue of Diabetes Care.

Martha M. Funnell, R.N., of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, headed up the national joint task force formed by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. The group reviewed the prior standards and incorporated the latest evidence-based guidelines and expert consensus to produce the new standards.

The task force produced 10 standards to guide entities delivering DSME, including documentation of the entity's structure, mission, and goals; appointment of an advisory group for quality; production of an educational needs assessment for each target population; assignment of a DSME program coordinator; provision of qualified DSME instructors with recent education and experience; creation of a written curriculum incorporating current evidence, practice guidelines, and outcomes criteria; individual patient assessments and education plans; individualized patient follow-up plans for support; regular monitoring of goals and outcomes; and a formal continuous quality improvement plan.

"This process incorporates the needs, goals, and life experiences of the person with diabetes and is guided by evidence-based standards. The overall objectives of DSME are to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, problem-solving and active collaboration with the health care team and to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life," the authors write.

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