Quick guide to type 2 diabetes self-management education: creating an interdisciplinary diabetes management team

Brittannie Chester,1 Wayne G Stanely,2 Thangiah Geetha1,3 1Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; 2Primary Care, Florence, AL 35630, USA; 3Boshell Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes Program, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA Abstract: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that requires several daily self-management decisions and complex care activities. Clinical management of diabetes and teaching patients diabetes self-management skills are necessary for optimal type 2 diabetes control. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) and support require time and resources. While there is a plethora of education material for health care professionals to use, very few guides compile the information in a practical way to relay the information to the patient. This quick guide to DSME has been developed to give physicians and their staff the tools to teach basic type 2 diabetes self-management skills in three 15-minute clinic visits. Keywords: glycemic control, hemoglobin A1c, nutrition, exercise, blood glucos