“Diabetes Educators the Most Valuable Players in Health Care Today”
By Hildegarde Payne, RN, MA, CDE
New York State CB Chair
Today, there are much more opportunities to utilize your expertise as a diabetes educator then 17 years ago. Inpatient diabetes program, outpatient diabetes education , Medical Home Model, Case management model, Health home model, Telehealth and Home health to name a few. I get asked frequently what I can I do to get my hours and I am not sure what area of diabetes I should concentrate on? Or “Diabetes is so vast” What I have learned that makes a difference.
Do your homework and ask yourself a few pertinent questions.
1) Know Your Population!
Go to CDC.gov_Learn the Prevalence and incidence of Diabetes in your town, State, and City and the world.
2) Know your Strengths and Weaknesses
What is your profession, what do you like to do?
Do you want to teach the patients yourself?
Do you want to train others to teach?
3) Do a self- Assessment, Ask a few questions
What is in it for me?
What motivates you?
What gives you satisfaction?
4) Start small – 2 people is a group
Test it out then spread it to more people
5) Be open to change – health care reforms are here to stay.
6) Update your skills, Computer, Verbal, Writing, and Research skills
7) Know your population! Know your population! Know your population!
Know where diabetes education is being offered, Who is delivering the diabetes education? Who are the people receiving the diabetes education? Where do they work, worship, and play? What are the demographics, age, sex, race, culture? Where do they go for health information? Who is filling the gaps? What are the learning barriers to care and education? What is the cost of health? Does the major Health plan in your area pay for diabetes education?
One of my favorite quotes will summarize where to start as a diabetes educator today, “You Can Bloom Where You Are Planted” author unknown. I think being an MVP is a journey not a destination. What do you think?