Diabetes education has only recently been acknowledged as a
key component of diabetes management, although diabetes education
predates the discovery of insulin in 1921. After years of experience
and evidence-based research, there is growing recognition that
diabetes education is more than simply teaching patients with
diabetes what to and what not to do.
The key aims of diabetes education are to change behaviour
and promote self-management. Self-management implies that
the person with diabetes will understand the impact of factors
such as food intake, exercise, stress and medication on blood
glucose, and will be able to make appropriate adjustments
to maintain glucose within a target level. Diabetes education
consists of providing tools and support to patients as they
learn to manage their disease.
As a result, the role of the diabetes educator is changing
from that of the 'expert' who gives out information, to one
of a 'facilitator', who helps people to learn what they need
to know and supports them through the changes required to
best manage their diabetes.
The diabetes educator has a complex role that combines the
clinical, educational and psychological components of diabetes
care. As well as teaching self care management, the diabetes
educator also provides support and counselling through life
changes after diagnosis, such as changes in routine with a
new school or a new job, in an ongoing education process.
The diabetes educator's role therefore extends beyond teaching
the person with diabetes the skills needed to manage their disease;
the diabetes educator can help the individual to develop the
positive psychosocial adaptation needed to achieve effective
self-management of diabetes.
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