INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEALTH
SPONSORED CONTENT
WHS Diabetes Education Program
Written by Emily King
Hearing a doctor give you a diabetes diagnosis can be devastating . There is no cure for this chronic disease that affects around 38 million Americans . Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States . The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes in the United States has more than doubled in the past twenty years .
The diabetes statistics in our country sound grim , but the truth is that with the right education , medication , and lifestyle changes , diabetes can be manageable . With the right tools and help , many people can live long and fulfilling lives with diabetes .
For those in our area , help for managing life with diabetes is right around the corner . Washington Health System ’ s Diabetes Education Program has existed for over a decade , but recent changes have improved one aspect of disease management that makes a huge difference — education .
We spoke with Ashley Markle , RN , BSN , MBA Population Health and Diabetic Education Manager at Washington Health System . She helped explain how the program works and who could benefit from it .
“ The goal of the WHS Diabetes education program is to provide education to new and previously diagnosed patients in our region ,” says Markle .
“ We wanted to make our services engaging and interactive for our patients since this really can be vital to their diabetes management ,” she says .
The program ’ s certified diabetes instructors work with persons with diabetes and their doctors to create a diabetes management plan based on their individual needs .
The program services can be divided into two main categories : Diabetes Self-Management Education ( DSME ) and Medical Nutritional Services ( MNT ). WHS offers group classes for DSME and MNT to newly diagnosed patients as well as those who have already attended educational programs in the past . and Medicaid , and it is recommended that patients check with their insurance to confirm if they have a copay .
Those who are newly diagnosed can benefit greatly from these educational programs , but they are also great for current diabetes patients who are navigating life transitions , medication changes , or comorbidities . Approved patients have access to a certain number of class hours depending on whether they are newly diagnosed or continuing their education .
During the initial visit , the patient will undergo a needs assessment , where he / she and a certified diabetes educator create a plan based on the individual ’ s needs and goals .
The program utilizes a conversation map platform that guides the plan . These maps cover topics like educating the patient about diabetes , learning how to monitor and manage blood glucose levels , understanding nutrition and how to maintain a diabetes-friendly diet , and learning how the disease progresses and how to lessen your risk of complications in the long run .
In addition to DSME , WHS ’ Diabetes Education Program offers Medical Nutritional Services . These services have been shown to , on average , reduce A1c by 0.47 to 0.82 over 12 weeks . With a referral from a physician , newly diagnosed patients may be covered for three hours of services in an individual setting . Those patients with previous education can access two hours of nutrition services per year .
By educating patients about diabetes and providing them with a plan for managing the disease with lifestyle changes and nutritional counseling , patients can go from feeling helpless to empowered .
If you are interested in learning more you can contact the WHS ’ Diabetes Education Program at ( 724 ) 250-6262 or visit whs . org / diabetes
“ Diabetes Self-Management Education ( DSME ) empowers clients with diabetes to navigate the many decisions and activities in everyday life ,” says Markle .
To access these services , you will need to obtain a referral from your primary care provider . Services are covered under Medicare
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