Evaluation of a Community Based Diabetes Self-Management Education Program

Diabetes is a serious public health issue. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a vital component of long term of glycemic control. The Center for Urban Health (CUH) offers community based DSME classes in various neighborhoods in theJeffersonHospitalservice area, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations. An interprofessional health team facilitates the classes. Although the diabetes self-management education program was designed with attention to national standards for DSME and interprofessional competencies, it was not an accredited education program. The CUH participated in the 2011 JCIPE Interprofessional Education and Care Practicum. The focus of the practicum was to revise quality performance measures and create a process and structure to track patient outcomes. The work done during the practicum was integrated in the entire program evaluation. As a result of the work completed during the practicum, the revised program was piloted and an application was submitted to the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP) which is certified by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services. The CUH community based DSME program received accreditation from the AADE September 2011. The DSME program is one of many diabetes education and outreach initiatives provided by the CUH. Learning Objectives: At the end of the session participant will: 1. Identify at least two advantages of attending a structured interprofessional education practicum in organizing program scope of work. 2. Critique a diabetes self-management education program related to national standards. 3. Build capacity to evaluate an existing community health education program using evidence based practice