Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

3-38 | CHAPTER 3

CONCLUSION

This chapter has discussed the pathophysiology of diabetes, as well as screening, diagnosis, and epidemiology. The focus has been the rationale behind developing SME strategies, a task that challenges educators in all practice settings. Our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of diabetes has grown substantially over the past decades, and treatment options have become more varied. A primary goal is to get as close to normoglycemia as possible while preventing or minimizing glycemic variability with severe lows or highs, complemented with appropriate self-management skills, so that therapeutic approach relates to a person’s needs and lifestyle in the most physiological way possible. Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies for other complications are equally important in the practice of SME.

Practical application exercises follow.