Free Resource Friday | Preparing for the CDCES Exam Webinar!
Join us for free on March 1st @ 11:30 am PST
Join us to get ready to succeed a the CDCES Exam. This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test taking readiness.
Topics covered include:
Changes in requirements for 2019
Exam eligibility and test format
Strategies to succeed
Review of study tips and test taking tactics.
We will review sample test questions, and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Intended Audience: This FREE webinar is designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in achieving excellence in diabetes care and becoming Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists®.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
“Remembering Quincy, a Beloved Koala with Type 1 Diabetes”
Credit: San Diego Zoo
In the summer of 2018, the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute and San Diego Zoo teamed up to help Quincy, a koala, manage his diabetes. Quincy was well-known for being diagnosed with diabetes and then treated with a CGM (continuous glucose monitor).
“Working with Quincy allowed us to extend our digital technology into an entirely new population,” said Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD, corporate vice president for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute
Interestingly, Dr. Tsimikas reported that working with Quincy gave additional insight into working with someone who was unable to speak, like a person who is unconscious due to hypoglycemia or a small child.
The CGM transmitted Quincy’s blood glucose levels to an app, which helped caretakers manage his Diabetes. Prior to using the CGM, the zoo staff would have to prick Quincy many times a day.
Quincy passed in late 2018 due to pneumonia but continues to be a beloved mascot for those with diabetes.
“Hopefully our experience with Quincy provided new approaches to the Zoo, not only for marsupials but for other species that may develop diabetes and need ongoing therapy for the future.”
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
“Many Americans Slicing Meat From Their Diet”
A recent study by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore has found that Americans are beginning to cut down on poultry, fish, and red meat consumption. The two primary findings for this study, include the cost of meat products as well as their negative implications towards health and the environment.
The research provided a survey to 1,100 individuals asking them about their meat consumption habits over the past three years. Lead scientist, Roni Neff, says, “Many Americans continue to have strong preferences for meat, but this survey adds to a growing body of evidence that a significant portion of the population may be purposefully reducing their meat consumption.”
55% of participants reduced overall meat consumption and 41% cut down on red meat specifically. 64% of the participants who reduced overall meat consumption admitted to doing so due to finances. This was evident as individuals with incomes less than $25,000 were more likely to decrease meat intake while households bringing in $75,000+ were less likely. 42% chose to have meatless meals, 32% had meatless days, and 9% avoided meat altogether.
It was also reported that middle aged individuals (ages 45-59) were more likely to decrease intake than younger participants. Women typically ate less than men as well. Individuals who did not curb meat intake “felt that meat was essential for a healthy diet.”
The survey is thought to help fuel future campaigns on the importance of raising awareness about nutrition, plant-based eating and the effect meat production has on the environment.
“The report was published recently in the journal Public American Nutrition.”
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)
These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge on the topics critical to diabetes educators.
In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5. Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.
Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning
For this question in this series, we focus on the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
Mindful Monday | Exercise does help prevent depression
An international study has found a strong link between exercise and depression.
Commonly, exercise has been thought to prevent depression, but a study of the genetics of 300,000 people has now confirmed that a lack of exercise can lead to depression.
Past studies have shown a link between lack of exercise and depression, however this is the first study to say that lack of exercise may cause depression. And it is often assumed that depression is a barrier to exercise.
“However, this new work by a team at Massachusetts General Hospital, US, shows a causal link between exercising and avoiding depression, and also shows that the opposite is not true – being depressed does not cause people to exercise less.”
The study used data from self-reported activity and accelerometers (motion detecting devices). The self-reported activities were somewhat inaccurate, however the accelerators collected helpful data to support their hypothesis.
“With accelerometer data, the researchers found that replacing sedentary behavior with just 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, like running, or an hour of moderate activity, like fast walking, reduces depression risk by 26%.”
Researchers hope to utilize this data in promoting the role physical health can take on mental health. From a biological perspective, physical activity is linked to releasing “feel-good” hormones and can help with a person’s mood and can also help with other illness linked to depression like inflammation. Of course from a psychological perspective being “active” can help combat common depression symptoms like feels of isolation and void of meaning.
Depression affects more than 300 million people around the globe. Mental health is just as important as physical health and exercising is a way to improve both!
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
Free Resource Friday | What We Say Matters, Free Webinar Ready for Viewing
Language & Diabetes, What we say matters | Resources
What we say matters.
As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes everyday.
The language used in the health care setting is immensely important in determining the success of the interaction and long term relationships.
Thoughtful communication provides a sense of support and empathy and moves both provider and patient toward greater satisfaction and success.
Based on powerful research, there is growing movement within diabetes education and beyond, to rethink the words we use and the approaches we take when providing counsel to people with diabetes.
Let’s lift people up by choosing language that is non-judgmental and person centered.
Enjoy our free Mini-Webinar to learn more and take your communication to the next level!
This four question quiz is inspired by the recent article, “The Use of Language and Diabetes Care” by Dickinson et al. What words we choose, our body gestures and the use of certain terms can have a tremendous impact on our interactions with people living with diabetes. This quiz highlights a few key areas where we may want to rethink our approach or feel reassured that we are on the right track.
This mini-webinar is free, and no CEs are provided, but there is lots of great info!
Articles and Resources,
Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – 2017 ADA & AADE Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This article provides recommendations for language used by health care professionals and others when discussing diabetes through spoken or written words whether directed to people with diabetes, colleagues, or the general
public, as well as research questions related to language and diabetes.
Happy Valentine’s Day | Dark chocolate can lower stress and inflammation, improve memory
Happy Valentine’s Day from Diabetes Education Services! Enjoy something sweet.
No guilt required. Recent studies have shown dark chocolate has a positive impact on brain function. The study conducted by Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center found that dark chocolate, with a cacao concentration of at least 70%, reduced stress and inflammation, improved mood, memory, and immunity.
The health benefits from cacao are determined by the large amount of flavanoids present. Flavanoids have been shown to be anti-inflammatory and to have antioxidant effects. The study found that, “the higher the concentration of cacao, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity, and other beneficial effects.
Another study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health in 2017 determined that “consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate lowered the risk of atrial fibrillation”. Their research also concluded that dark chocolate prevents white blood cells from sticking to the walls of the arteries and can help loosen stiff arteries, thus decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)
These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge on the topics critical to diabetes educators.
In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5. Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.
Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning
For this question in this series, we focus on the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
A recent study by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore has found that Americans are beginning to cut down on poultry, fish, and red meat consumption. The two primary findings for this study, include the cost of meat products as well as their negative implications towards health and the environment.
According to the 
An international study has found a strong link between exercise and depression.
What we say matters.
![](/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/insta-png-v5.png")
