Diabetes Education Program Reaccredited

PARSONS, Kan., Jan 2, 2009 – Diabetes Self-Management Education, a Labette Health course designed to empower diabetics with lifestyle tools necessary for diabetes self-care, has been reaccredited by the American Diabetes Association. The course has been offered at Labette Health since 2005.

Program coordinator Mary Hizey, RN, and consulting dietician Marsha Wingate teach the four-week course, which meets at Labette Health each Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

DSME participants must be referred to the program by a physician, Hizey said. The program attracts more than 100 physician referrals each year, of whom approximately 60 complete the course. Participants come from throughout Southeast Kansas, and Hizey credited a free bus service provided by the Labette Health Foundation with making it possible for more diabetics to attend.

The DSME curriculum is designed to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, problem-solving and active collaboration with a patient’s healthcare team to improve clinical outcomes, health status and quality of life. Hizey said that many diabetics are surprised to find that they can eat the same foods they have always eaten – with some behavioral changes.

“We teach carbohydrate counting. We teach portion sizes. We teach reality when it comes to healthy food choices and lifestyle changes,” she said.

In addition to information about the diabetes disease process, program components include ways of incorporating appropriate nutrition, physical activity, blood-glucose monitoring and medications. Preventing acute chronic complications and behavioral issues such as goal-setting and psychosocial adjustment also are included, Hizey said.

“Most people who complete the course are very motivated,” she said.

In addition to the classes, Hizey coordinates a diabetes support group that meets at Labette Health the first Tuesday evening of alternate months. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2, she said.  More information about either the Diabetes Self-Management Education classes or the support group is available at 620-820-5171.