DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT (DSMES)
IN AND AROUND HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA
Site created by:
Eugene Dovis
Registered Nurse
Certified Diabetes Educator
This blog is to inform the public about a valuable resource to our community members with diabetes and how to access it. According to the 2017 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in United States about 9.4% of the population or 30.3 million people have diabetes. If left uncontrolled, this chronic disease can cause debilitating conditions that can greatly impact quality of life. Partnered with your primary care provider, a registered nurse (RN) certified in diabetes education (CDE) can help achieve optimal diabetes care.
WHAT IS AN RN CDE?
Nurses are trained healthcare professional and patient advocates. To become an RN, one must go through college education to receive a degree in nursing. To become a CDE, a health care professional must have a license to practice, have been practicing for at least two years and that includes one thousand hours of diabetes education experience. Then, the RN must pass a national standardized test to ensure competency in diabetes care. To keep the CDE title, one must stay up-to-date and meet the required minimum of 75 contact hours of education every five years.
What can a nurse CDE do?
Diabetes is a complicated and sometimes confusing disease. An RN CDE can help by dispelling the myths about diabetes and illustrate what diabetes is and the many different systems that affect it. A CDE can help clients set realistic goals, help with accountability and improve quality of life. Learning to maintain control over this disease can help lower the risk of severe complications, which in turn, may lead to a decrease in the amount of diabetes medication needed. Following the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) guidelines, CDEs focus on the seven main aspects that impact good control: Healthy Eating, Being Active, Monitoring, Taking Medications, Problem Solving, Reducing Risks and Healthy Coping.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MEETING WITH AN RN CDE:
After receiving teaching and gaining a better understanding of diabetes, many people feel better both emotionally and physically. Other benefits may include reducing healthcare costs, confidence in sharing facts with others that may help, and reduce the risk of future complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes. A CDE can often help navigate the complex health-care insurance system; possibly saving money every month on medications and costs for supplies. According to recent studies by the AADE and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), meeting regularly with a CDE can help reduce estimated average blood glucose of about 60 points or a reduction in the A1C by nearly 2%, which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of long term complications. Working with a CDE can assist in setting goals that achieve and maintain control of this devastating disease. Learn more about how a CDE can help:
WHEN WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO SEEK OUT A RN CDE?
A new diagnosis of diabetes, uncontrolled diabetes (A1C more than 7%), starting or changing diabetes medications and/or a desire to learn more about diabetes to keep it under control.
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS SERVICE?
Four locations in the surrounding area: Sentara RMH Outpatient Center (Harrisonburg), Sentara South Main Health Center (Harrisonburg), Sentara Timber Way Health Center (Timberville), and Sentara East Rockingham Health Center (Elkton). Most major cities and counties have Diabetes Education programs with CDE’s.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Because CDE education and training services are certified and accredited through the AADE, insurance typically covers very well! No insurance? Our services are covered if/when enrolled in the financial assistance program through Sentara. There may even be grant money or foundation money to help cover costs when needed.
GET IN TOUCH
There are several ways of starting this process. Ask your primary care provider or endocrinologist to send a consult for diabetes education. You can also contact a certified diabetes educator by phone or e-mail. 540-689-1001 to help obtain a referral.
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More information can be found by visiting the website: www.sentara.com and search ‘diabetes services’.
Phone: (540)689-1184
Fax: (540)689-1666