Diabetes Education

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes. Approximately 96 million adults have prediabetes. One in four people have diabetes and do not know it. Achieving and maintaining glycemic control in patients with diabetes is critical to their overall health. However, keeping blood sugar levels within the recommended range can be challenging because it can be impacted by many things such as food, exercise, medication, stress, and so much more. To successfully manage diabetes requires not only knowing what can make blood sugar levels rise and fall but also what can be done to control it.

Qsource and subject matter experts across the state of Indiana have collaborated to offer a flexible web-based training program designed to increase knowledge to effectively support persons with diabetes in keeping their diabetes under control and reducing further diabetes-related complications that could lead to unnecessary emergency room (ER) visits and/or hospital admissions.

This education is led by health care professionals with expertise in internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, medication safety, and nutrition. Participants may view videos associated with all four education sessions or choose one that is most relevant to their needs. After viewing the desired sessions, and completing the post event evaluation, a certificate of attendance will be made available.

Session 1 – Glucose Control

Kristy Umana FNP-C at Ascension Health will provide education about the importance of glucose management in the home for patients with diabetes. This session will cover topics such as common symptoms and avoiding complications of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, wound and foot complications, and strategies for diabetes self-management in the home.

Objectives

  • Discuss glucose targets and A1C targets
  • Discuss dietary guidelines
  • Discuss complications of uncontrolled diabetes
  • Review drug classes for diabetes
  • Review medical emergencies for diabetes

Session 2 – Lifestyle and Exercise

Kelly Freeman MSN, AGPCNP-BC, Director of Academic Advancement at the American Collage of Lifestyle Medicine will discuss strategies you can use with your patients to empower them to make lifestyle changes as wells as introduce tools and resources that can be used during home health visits to work towards improved habits. Scott Fenstermacher DPT, BS, from Taylor University, will also demonstrate adaptable exercises that be can done in the home to support healthy lifestyle changes.

Objectives

  • Examine the prevalence and causes of chronic disease
  • Understand Lifestyle Medicine’s 6 key domains of health behaviors
  • Review exercises that can be done in the home

Session 3 – Medication Barriers

Qsource’s consulting pharmacist Jonathon Pouliot will provide an overview of diabetes medication and common barriers to medication compliance.

Objectives

  • Review the management of diabetes with a focus on medication management and newer agents available
  • Examine barriers associated with diabetes medications and strategies for overcoming those barriers
  • Discuss education strategies for patients with diabetes, families, and caregivers with a focus on overcoming medication barriers to improve care

Session 4 – A Healthy Diet

Qsource’s Meghan VanSlyke will discuss the critical role a healthy diet plays in managing and preventing diabetes. This session will cover the latest dietary strategies, from controlling blood sugar levels to enhancing your overall well-being.

Objectives

  • Provide overview of nutritional recommendations for adult patients with diabetes
  • Provide everyday tips in making healthy food choices for health care practitioners treating patients with diabetes
  • Present nutrition topics of interest related to diabetes