National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education

Abstract
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is the cornerstone of care for all individuals with diabetes who want to achieve successful health-related outcomes. The National Standards for DSME are designed to define quality diabetes self-management education that can be implemented in diverse settings and will facilitate improvement in health care outcomes. The dynamic health care process obligates the diabetes community to periodically review and revise these standards to reflect advances in scientific knowledge and health care. Therefore, the Task Force to review the National Standards for DSME was convened to review the current standards for their appropriateness, relevancy, and scientific basis, and to be sure they are specific and achievable in multiple settings. The Task Force to Review and Revise the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs decided to do the following: 1. Critically review the current standards and prepare an evidence-based review of the literature. 2. Revise the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs as appropriate. ### Establishing procedure The Task Force began this task by outlining a process to be used for accomplishing its charge: 1. Examine the adequacy of representation on the Task Force itself to ensure fair, relevant, and impartial revisions of the National Standards (the sponsoring organization for this revision of the National Standards is the American Diabetes Association). 2. Perform an initial review of the current standards to identify areas that need to be addressed. 3. Collect input from individuals and organizations who utilize the current standards. 4. Set a timeline for accomplishing the charge. 5. Critically review each standard and perform a review of the literature for each. 6. Review new trends in diabetes education and care. 7. Review the National Standards to ensure quality and consistency with the current American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care. 8. Obtain critiques from secondary sources interested or involved in diabetes care. 9. Perform a final review of the revised …