The Diabetes Educator 

About: The Diabetes Educator is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Diabetes mellitus & Type 2 diabetes. It has an ISSN identifier of 0145-7217. Over the lifetime, 2179 publications have been published receiving 58045 citations. The journal is also known as: TDE.

Vitamin D and diabetes: let the sunshine in.

Abstract: Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Persons with diabetes are at greater risk for early cardiac mortality, and for repeat events if they survive their first cardiac event. Recently, low serum concentrations of vitamin D have been associated with increased risk for cardiac events. Evidence indicates that persons with diabetes have lower serum concentrations of vitamin D. In addition, persons at risk for diabetes or metabolic syndrome have inadequate serum concentrations of vitamin D. This review will assess the evidence relative to the impact of vitamin D in the development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes complications. Studies that address vitamin D and its impact on metabolic outcomes as well as possible mechanisms of action are provided. Finally, the assessment and suggested treatment for vitamin D deficiency is addressed. Effective detection and treatment of inadequate vitamin D concentrations in persons with diabetes or those at risk for diabetes may be an easy and cost-effective therapy which could improve their long-term health outcomes as well as their quality of life.

Empowerment: an idea whose time has come in diabetes education.

Abstract: We have learned much in the past 10 years about how to help patients to acquire diabetes-related knowledge and skills and how to use strategies to help patients change behaviors. However, the application of knowledge and techniques should be guided by a relevant, coherent, educational philosophy. Empowerment offers a practical conceptual framework for diabetes patient education. Empowering patients provides them with the knowledge, skills, and responsibility to effect change and has the potential to promote overall health and maximize the use of available resources. It is an idea whose time has come for diabetes education.

Community-based peer-led diabetes self-management: a randomized trial.

Abstract: PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a community-based diabetes self-management program comparing treatment participants to a randomized usual-care control group at 6 months.MethodsA total of 345 adults with type 2 diabetes but no criteria for high A1C were randomized to a usual-care control group or 6-week community-based, peer-led diabetes self-management program (DSMP). Randomized participants were compared at 6 months. The DSMP intervention participants were followed for an additional 6 months (12 months total). A1C and body mass index were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. All other data were collected by self-administered questionnaires.ResultsAt 6 months, DSMP participants did not demonstrate improvements in A1C as compared with controls. Baseline A1C was much lower than in similar trials. Participants did have significant improvements in depression, symptoms of hypoglycemia, communication with physicians, healthy eating, and reading food labels (P < .0...

Diabetes Self-management Education and Support in Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Abstract: D IABETES ISACHRONICDISEASE that requires a person with diabetes to make a multitude of daily self-management decisions and to perform complex care activities. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) provides the foundation to help people with diabetes to navigate these decisions and activities and has been shown to improve health outcomes. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is the process of facilitating the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care. Diabetes selfmanagement support (DSMS) refers to the support that is required for implementing and sustaining coping skills and behaviors needed to self-manage on an ongoing basis. (See further definitions in Figure 1.) Although different members of the health care team and community can contribute to this process, it is important for health care providers and their practice settings to have the resources and a systematic referral process to ensure that patients with type 2 diabetes receive both DSME and DSMS in a consistent manner. The initial

Meta-Analysis of Randomized Educational and Behavioral Interventions in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract: PURPOSEthis meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of educational and behavioral interventions on body weight and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.MEHODSStudies selected for analysis were published randomized controlled trials that evaluated educational and behavioral interventions (no drug interventions) in type 2 diabetes (sample size 210). These criteria were applied to searches of electronic databases and relevant bibliographies. Data were independently abstracted by 2 reviewers and adjudicated by consensus.RESULTSOf the 63 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 18 provided enough information for pooled estimates of glycohemoglobin (total Ghb, HbA1, or HbA1 C). These 18 studies yielded 2720 participants (sample sizes of 18 to 749). Interventions ranged from 1 to 19 months; follow-up ranged from 1 to 26 months. Glycohemoglobin was reduced by a mean of 0.43%. When results were stratified by quality score, glycohemoglobin was -0.50% and -0.38% for studies with high and low quality scores,...