New Orleans did not disappoint good food, great music and friendly people. But, I came for the AADE conference and as usual I left feeling energized and inspired.
The focus of this year’s meeting was on engagement and technology.
Did you know?
- 87% of Americans use the internet
- 64% of Americans have Smart phones
- 74% use social media
- 72% of U.S. adults living with a chronic condition use the internet
Online health information resources give health information, sites such as WebMD, are an example. The online health engagement resources allow sharing of information, support and interaction. Health engagement resources would be twitter, blogs, YouTube to name a few. How many of us have gone to YouTube for information on some DIY project. So the challenge for us is on how to use technology to assist and engage our patients. At one of the sessions, they spoke about setting up a private Pinterest or Facebook site for class groups. This could be used for something as simple as sharing recipes. Haven’t you had a class member bring in a recipe to share?
Other technology sessions had to do with CGM, insulin pumps and the artificial pancreas. I found the information on silent occlusions with insulin pumps interesting and how an infusion set with dual port will help prevent a number of this type interruption.
The session on the Artificial Pancreas was amazing and had audience participants asking how they could become a participant in the trail. The artificial pump or “bionic pump”, as one of the speakers called it, would administer insulin or glucagon as needed, based on CGM information. Imagine not having to carbohydrate count at a meal and just enter in the meal size.
The program started with the first presenter getting the audience singing “Sweet Caroline” and then he explained why he dislikes the song and told his story of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He was joined by 2 others with type 1 who also shared their stories. They then went on to talk about their personal involvement in developing technology, to assist with diabetes management. If you don’t know anything about Tidepool go to tidepool.org, also check out the Meal Memory app., this allows you to snap a photo of your food and document your glucoses see how a meal affected your blood glucose.
At the AADE business meeting, the following items were discussed .
- Licensure
- Scope of practice for CDE’s
- title for non certified educators, associates? technicians? How to avoid role confusion for consumers
The AADE site posted a public comment notice regarding revised competencies draft for diabetes educators and diabetes associates. Comments will be accepted until September 20, 2015.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/news-publications/aade-news/public-comment-period-for-revised-competencies-for-diabetes-educators-and-diabetes-educator-associates
Next year’s AADE conference will be held in San Diego, and the sessions will start on a Friday. Closer to home, the 5th PA Diabetes Conference will be held on April 21 & 22, 2016, in Harrisburg.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/news-publications/aade-news/public-comment-period-for-revised-competencies-for-diabetes-educators-and-diabetes-educator-associates
Next year’s AADE conference will be held in San Diego, and the sessions will start on a Friday. Closer to home, the 5th PA Diabetes Conference will be held on April 21 & 22, 2016, in Harrisburg.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/news-publications/aade-news/public-comment-period-for-revised-competencies-for-diabetes-educators-and-diabetes-educator-associates