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"Ready, Aim, Fire: Strategies for Striking Glucose Targets." by Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE

By Patricia Adams posted 12-28-2011 11:37

  

Gary will be one of the presenters in our First Annual State Diabetes Conference, April 26 - 27, 2012.  Registration opens Sunday and can be done through the Pennyslyvania home page!  During January, there is a discount for AADE members!  Please read Gary's Blog!  When he sent this in, I felt he was reading my mine, because I too learn so much from all of our members.

Hey fellow diabetes educators -

 

Happy Holidays!

 The Pennsylvania coordinating body of AADE asked me to present something new and interesting at our Gettysburg conference in the spring. The title is "Ready, Aim, Fire: Strategies for Striking Glucose Targets."

 

Since just about everything I've learned has come from others, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a "best practices in diabetes education" type blog, with a focus on achieving desired outcomes for our patients. What have you found works with your patient population? Is there an approach, a technique, a tool or device that is particularly helpful? Please share it here!

 

The one thing that comes to mind for me is INDIVIDUALIZATION. Using our assessment tools to evaluate areas of need, interest, strength and weakness... and then tailoring a diabetes self-care plan to the individual. Maybe it's because I've seen so many "one-size-fits-all" approaches fail miserably, but I truly believe in the power of individualized care.

 

Let's hear your ideas!

Gary Scheiner MS, CDE

Owner & Clinical Director

Integrated Diabetes Services

333 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 204

Wynnewood, PA 19096

toll free: 877-735-3648

(610) 642-6055

fax (610) 642-8046

www.integrateddiabetes.com

www.type1university.com

gary@integrateddiabetes.com

 

Jon the discussion by posting a reply below.

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Comments

Denise Piepoli
01-08-2012 12:59

CGM

Gary, can you direct me to where I can obtain a loaner continuous glucose monitoring system for use.


Also, should caffeine consumption be monitored during the day, and if so, what are reasonable limits.


thank you. Denise Piepoli RN BS CDE

Gary Scheiner
01-07-2012 17:41

Problem solving skills

Great points.  There is nothing like seeing first-hand the effects of various lifestyle activies (food, stress, illness, physical activity, even caffeine...) on glucose levels.  That's why I'm such a big fan of real-time continuous glucose monitoring.  It shows cause & effect relationships for virtually EVERYTHING!  If you have systems you can loan out, great.  If your patients can get one to use on a regular basis, even better.   If neither is the case, they can get in touch with me -- my office has ample loaners and can train people on them via phone or skype.

Kendra Durdock
01-05-2012 09:23

no rhyme or reason

I have been frustrated dealing with unexplained hyperglycemia.  I had a patient call this am with a fasting of 128 and one hour later after black coffee no sugar, he was 202?? I know caffeine can have an effect. How do we explain to patients that even non carb items can effect blood sugar. Stress levels is another difficult thing to explain to patients with hyperglycemia. Any suggestions welcome.-Kendra

Janice MacLeod
01-04-2012 21:00

Turning on the light bulb

I have found one of the best ways to turn the light bulb on for patients who struggle with what to eat is to ask them to try testing before & after their usual meals.  They are amazed and will come back to teach you what they have learned. It is so much more powerful than telling people what to eat and not eat.  They can now make the choice about what to eat based on facts, knowing how certain foods affect their blood sugar; not food lists.  The same can be done with other events such as activity.  This is not about testing more but testing at the right times, times that are relevant to the patient and help them solve the problems they need to solve in living their daily lives.  Looking forward to the program. 

Patricia Adams
12-28-2011 16:22

Problem solving skills

Over the years, in our patients, I don't see an ability to reason out causes of hyperglycemia.  I have really tried to focus the content to help patients understand the cause and effect of behaviors.


Look forward to hearing other points of view.