Two weeks ago I attended some CB training for AADE. While the training was very useful, I was frustrated by the number of acronyms that were used during the training. In this age of social media, we have to deal with the fact that people abbreviate and assume that you know what the abbreviation means. As a result, I am devoting my first Blog on SD's Network page to define some of the acronyms you will run across on the AADE website. This list is alphabetical.
AADE = American Association of Diabetes Educators
BC-ADM = Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management
The person holding the BC-ADM credential skillfully manages complex patient needs and assists patients with their therapeutic problem-solving. Within their scope of practice, healthcare professionals who hold the BC-ADM certification:
- Adjust medications
- Treat and monitor acute and chronic complications and other comorbidities
- Counsel patients on lifestyle modifications
- Address psychosocial issues
- Participate in research and mentoring
During my training, I learned that the difference between a BC-ADM and a CDE is that BC-ADM is focused on the management of patient care, where as a CDE is focused on patient education. BC-ADM requires you to have a MS degree.
CB = Coordinating Body. Each state has one coordinating body. There are a minimum of 4 officers on each state’s CB.
- CB leader
- Web Administrator
- Treasurer
- Advocacy Liaison.
You can find SD’s current leaders on the South Dakota Network page of the AADE website. In 2008, CBs replaced the old state organizational structure. A big reason for this change was so that we could all take advantage of the 501C3 tax exempt status without going through the work of applying for a 501C3. Anyone who has ever been involved in one of these applications will tell you that AADE is providing us all with a wonderful service
CDE = Certified Diabetes Educator®. This is a health professional who possesses comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, prediabetes, and diabetes management. The CDE® educates, supports, and advocates for people affected by diabetes, addressing the stages of diabetes throughout the lifespan. The CDE® promotes self-management to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes (taken from the website https://www.ncbde.org/certification_info/what-is-a-cde/). Before sitting for the CDE, the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) requires you to be credentialed in one of the professions outlined in their current handbook, complete 2+ years of professional experience with 1000 documented hours of diabetes education. 40% of this education (400 hours) needs to be completed within a year of sitting for the exam. You must pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. The 2018 handbook can be found at https://www.ncbde.org/assets/1/7/Handbook_Current.pdf
COI = Community of Interest. COIs facilitate the professional development and collaboration of AADE members with common interest in specialized areas and functions of diabetes self-management education and training. The community does not deliver “products,” but rather is focused on knowledge management. There are currently 18 different COIs for you to join: Advanced Practice; Complications and Care; Cultural Diversity; Diabetes Educators in Industry; Diabetes Prevention; Diabetes Technology; Disabilities; Home Health Care; Inpatient Management; Office and Clinic Based; Pediatric and Camp Educator; Pharmacy; Physical Activity; Plant Based Nutrition; Post Career; Pregnancy/Reproductive Health; Public Health; Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense. COIs are a way for you to network with educators all over the country who are experts in your area of interest.
LNG = Local Networking Group. LNGs are subgroups under the direction of the CB. As the name implies, they are a way to encourage educators to network with other educators in their specific area. Currently, South Dakota has no LNGs in place, but other states have many active LNGs. Common activities would include a monthly Saturday morning coffee group or pot luck/CEU night. We hope to eventually have at least two LNGs – West River and East River.
This list is by no means all-inclusive. My hope is that this will serve as a reference to the most common abbreviations you will encounter on the AADE website. As South Dakota’s Web Administer for 2018, my goal is to write at least one blog every month. If you have an idea or would like to write a blog for our website, please contact me – Julie Jensen – at jajensen@rap.midco.net
Julie Jensen, MS, RD, LN, CDE
SDADE Web Administer