Competencies for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists

Abstract

Purpose Diabetes care and education specialists provide collaborative, comprehensive, and person-centered care and education to people with diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions. The implementation of the vision for the specialty has prompted the need to reexamine the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for diabetes care and education specialists in today’s dynamic health care environment. The purpose of this article is to introduce an updated set of competencies reflective of the profession in this dynamic health care environment. Diabetes care and education specialists are health care professionals who have achieved a core body of knowledge and skills in the biological and social sciences, communication, counseling, and education and who have experience in the care of people with diabetes and related conditions. Members of this specialty encompass a diverse set of health disciplines, including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, physicians, mental health professionals, podiatrists, optometrists, exercise physiologists, physicians, and others. The competencies are intended to guide practice regardless of discipline and encourage mastery through continuing education, individual study, and mentorship. Conclusion This document articulates the competencies required for diabetes care and education specialists in today’s dynamic health care environment as they pursue excellence in the specialty.

2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support

“…The evidence recommends that inclusion of dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, or all other disciplines with special certifications that demonstrate mastery of diabetes knowledge and training, such as Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) and CDCES, can support all DSMES services, including clinical assessment. 24,27 The quality coordinator needs to ensure the DSMES services are person-centered and understand the process of identifying, analyzing, and communicating quality data. The quality coordinator may partner with other team members to support quality improvement.…”

“…22,23 The National Standards are applicable to all care models, including solo practice, community, large practice, technology-enabled models of care, and others. 24 The National Standards can provide structure and consistency to the coordination of care and population health. DSMES services are not limited to fee-for-service billing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and can utilize other financial models, such as value-based payments and collaboration with commercial payers for sustainability.…”

The Role of the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in Caring for Diabetes Complications and Common Comorbid Conditions

“…8 In recognition of diabetes and prediabetes as conditions of cardiometabolic disease, the scope of the DCES has expanded. 9 Early recognition and optimal management of modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as obesity, HTN, and hyperlipidemia are critical components of comprehensive diabetes care that can be supported through partnerships between the interprofessional team and the DCES.…”

From the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists: The Role of the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist as a Champion of Technology Integration

“…In addition, the new competencies include technology-specific standards required to lead integration and technology adoption at both the individual and population health levels. 4…”

“…ADCES promotes standards for best practices in technology-enabled diabetes and cardiometabolic services. 1-8 ADCES supports the diabetes care and education specialist by serving as the source for professional education on established and emerging technologies. Through Danatech, created by ADCES, the Association maintains a repository of resources that can be used in diverse practice settings to develop and increase expertise, improve efficiency, reduce duplication of effort, and support technology integration.…”