How Do Annual Wellness Visits Decrease Amputation Rates over 30%?
As a Diabetes Specialist at a local Native Health Services Clinic, I assess a lot of feet every day. I believe this simple act of looking, touching, questioning, caring, and referring has saved many lower extremities.
Last month, a client arrived who was excited to report that they were able to walk for over an hour without getting short of breath. We celebrated this accomplishment and then I asked them to take off his shoes, knowing this person had already lost all of the toes on their left foot due to diabetes. The client wasn’t wearing custom shoes to accommodate this foot, just regular tennis shoes.
When the socks came off, I discovered an angry-looking ulcer that the person wasn’t too concerned about, saying, “it’s not really bothering me.” We sent this client to the emergency department, and they were immediately started on antibiotics to stop this very dangerous infection.
That’s just one example of how the simple act of assessing feet at during a wellness visit can make a big difference in outcomes.
Lowering Amputation Rates Through Annual Wellness Visit
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine reviewed data on the impact of Wellness Visits on amputation rates in the “Diabetes Belt”.
The “Diabetes Belt,” refers to 644 counties in the southeastern and Appalachian regions of the U.S. with higher rates of diabetes including the state of Mississippi as well as portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
People living in the Diabetes Belt had 27% greater odds of requiring a lower-extremity amputation compared to residents of counties surrounding the belt.
A simple intervention with big rewards:
This ten-year study at the University of Virginia found that people with diabetes who participated in a free Annual Wellness Visit covered by Medicare were 36% less likely to need an amputation compared to those who did not attend an Annual Wellness Visit regardless of where they lived.
“Our results confirmed our hypothesis that Annual Wellness Visits are associated with a reduced risk of major lower-extremity amputations, highlighting the importance of connecting patients to preventive care services,” said Jennifer Lobo, PhD, a researcher in UVA’s Department of Public Health Sciences.
Racial Disparities associated with increased amputation risk
The research also revealed significantly higher rates of diabetes-related amputations among Black participants compared with non-Hispanic White participants, both inside and outside the Diabetes Belt.
Based on these research results, more resources and changes in our health care system are needed to decrease amputation rates in the Diabetes Belt. As health care providers, we can take an active role in reaching out to Black community members to determine systemic barriers. Then, through community collaboration, we can start building bridges to improve inclusivity and access to healthcare.
To learn more about addressing racial disparities to reduce amputation, click here and click here.
Value of Preventive Foot Care
The researchers concluded that people with diabetes who participated in their Annual Medicare Wellness Visit may have had their foot complications diagnosed sooner, helping prevent amputations. Also, given the effectiveness of wellness visits to prevent future problems, the authors suggest incentivizing people with Medicare to use their annual wellness visits to evaluate lower extremities and provide education and foot care training.
Want to learn more about this question?
Join us for our new FREE Webinar
3 Steps to Save Feet; Assess, Screen, and Report
Airs live July 19th at 11:30 am PST (45 to 60 minutes)
All health care professionals are invited to join us to learn strategies to protect lower extremities during this FREE Webinar.
Coach Beverly will walk participants through the 3 Step Process to Save Feet; Assess, Screen and Report. She will provide simple and clear instructions on how to assess and inspect feet, along with risk assessment and action steps. We will share free teaching tools, strategies, and documentation forms adapted from the Lower Extremity Prevention Program (LEAP) that you can immediately implement in your practice setting.
CEs: 1.0 CEs for $19 or No CEs for FREE
Topics include:
- Effective foot assessment made easy
- How to use a monofilament to assess sensation
- Using screening form to report findings
Can’t join us live?
Don’t worry, we will send you a link to the recorded version.
FREE Handouts and Resources
3 Steps to Save Feet – Assess, Screen, Report Handout. This handout walks health care professionals through the steps involved in a 10-minute foot assessment and monofilament screening. Also includes a Screening Form to document and report findings.
Foot Care Teaching Sheet: This handout covers the important elements of foot care for people living with diabetes with simple and straightforward language.
Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, BC-ADM, CDCES
Author, Nurse, Educator, Clinician and Innovator, Beverly has specialized in diabetes management for over twenty years. As president and founder of Diabetes Educational Services, Beverly is dedicated to optimizing diabetes care and improving the lives of those with diabetes.
NEW! Order Monofilament (5.07) for Diabetes Foot Screening 20-Pack
People with diabetes are at increased risk of foot complications. By using a 5.07 monofilament (delivers 10gms of linear pressure) to assess for loss of sensation, diabetes health care professionals can immediately identify high-risk feet and take steps to protect lower extremities. Basic foot care education and intervention can reduce the risk of amputation by over 50 percent.
We are excited to provide these single-use 5.07 monofilaments in packs of 20.
We have included instructions on how to assess and inspect feet, along with risk assessment and action steps. We enhanced the teaching tools and forms from the Lower Extremity Prevention Program (LEAP) and are excited to share them with our community of diabetes advocates.
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!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Question of the Week | Pregnancy Surprise with Type 1 Diabetes
AR has type 1 diabetes and is in shock because they just discovered they are 6 weeks pregnant. AR uses a CGM and insulin pump to manage their diabetes and their most recent A1C is 8.3%. Which of the following is a potential complication associated with hyperglycemia during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy?
- Macrosomia and post-natal jaundice
- Intrauterine hypoglycemia
- Neonatal respiratory distress
- Diabetic embryopathy
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
Want to learn more about this question? Join us for our webinar
Pregnancy & Diabetes Standards | Level 2 | $29 for 1.5 CEs
Recorded & Ready to Watch!
Pregnancy with diabetes is confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education, and understanding. This course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals, and prevention of complications during pregnancy. A helpful review for the CDCES Exam and for those who want more information on people who are pregnant and live with Diabetes.
Objectives:
- Three issues that affect pregnancy with diabetes
- The unique attributes of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy and gestational diabetes
- Diagnostic criteria and management goals for gestational diabetes
- Potential short term and long term complications of fetal exposure to hypoglycemia
- Prevention measures to keep parent and baby healthy
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Reach for a Rainbow – FREE Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet
On average, most Americans eat only one serving of fruit and 1½ servings of vegetables daily, far less than what’s recommended.
Fruit and vegetables ARE magical. They are loaded with fiber, micronutrients, energy, and mostly smell and taste so good. They are mood boosters, feed our healthy gut bacteria, and can lead to meaningful connections. By encouraging people of all ages to consume more fruits and veggies, we improve the well-being of our communities.
Reach for a Rainbow. Eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetable is key because they each contain different beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. According to a recent study, fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, citrus fruits, and berries, were associated with lower mortality.
If we can just encourage people to eat 2 pieces of fruit a day and one serving of veggies with each meal, we are making a significant impact in improving health outcomes.
FREE Self-Care Goal Sheet
We are excited to share this FREE Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet to support an increased intake of fruits and veggies, one bite at a time.
Setting realistic person-centered goals is a critical part of providing diabetes education care and support. We have created a goal sheet that you can use in your practice to capture the next steps towards improving self-care.
If you would like to customize the document, it is available in Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet in English in Word and Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet in Spanish in Word so you can make modifications for your practice. Or you can download the PDF version of the Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet in English and PDF version of the Diabetes Self-Care Goal Sheet in Spanish, print and go.
Start small and Build on Success
Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables may not be realistic at first. We can encourage individuals to start with one to two servings a day and gradually increase portions as the person gains more confidence in their ability.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 2½ cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit daily, which totals about nine servings per day. One “serving” is a half-cup of any vegetables or fruits or a whole cup of salad greens.
“People who eat five servings of vegetables and fruit daily have 13 percent lower risk of all-cause death compared to people who eat two servings of fruit and vegetables per day,” says Dong Wang, a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and one of the study’s researchers. They also had a 12% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 10% lower risk from cancer, and a 35% lower risk from respiratory disease, compared with people who ate just two daily servings.
However, starchy vegetables such as peas, corn, and potatoes were not associated with a reduced risk of death or chronic diseases. The study results didn’t find harm or an increased risk of mortality from these options, but they also didn’t decrease mortality. Consider them neutral.
More good news – It doesn’t seem to matter whether people consume fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. They all offer similar nutrient values. The main consideration is promoting affordable and appealing fruits and veggies based on the individuals’ taste and preferences.
Self-Care Cheat Sheets in Spanish
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Rationale of the Week | Which diabetes meds safe during pregnancy?
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed test takers on pregnancy and diabetes. 63% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question
Question: AR says they just found out they are pregnant. AR has type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome and takes metformin 1000mg BID, semaglutide (Ozempic) 1.0mg weekly, and 30 units glargine insulin for diabetes management. Her most recent A1C was 8.2%. What is the most important action to take?
Answer Choices:
- Add bolus insulin to get A1C less than 6.5%.
- Increase the semaglutide (Ozempic) to 2.0mg weekly.
- Add a SGLT-2 Inhibitor to get glucose to target.
- Instruct AR to stop the semaglutide (Ozempic).
As shown above, the most common choice was option 4, the second most common answer was option 1, then option 2, and finally 3.
Getting to the Best Answer
Answer 1 is incorrect. 19.53% chose this answer, “Add bolus insulin to get A1C less than 6.5%.” This answer is accurate, but it is not the best answer. The A1C goal during pregnancy is less than 6.5% and in this case, AR will need to manage their diabetes using basal bolus insulin therapy. However, since semaglutide is not approved for pregnancy, the most important action is to stop the administration of this GLP-1 RA.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 9.40% of you chose this answer, “Increase the semaglutide (Ozempic) to 2.0mg weekly.” AR’s blood glucose levels are above the A1C pregnancy target of 6.5%, which means insulin intensification is needed. Insulin is safe during pregnancy. However, since semaglutide is not approved for pregnancy, the most important action is to stop the administration of this GLP-1 RA.
Answer 3 is incorrect. 8.50% of respondents chose this answer, “Add a SGLT-2 Inhibitor to get glucose to target.” AR’s blood glucose levels are above the A1C pregnancy target of 6.5%, which means insulin intensification is needed. Insulin is safe during pregnancy. However, SGLT-2s are not approved for pregnancy and the GLP-1 RA, semaglutide would also need to be discontinued.
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 62.57% chose this answer, “Instruct AR to stop the semaglutide (Ozempic).” YES, GREAT JOB! AR’s blood glucose levels are above the A1C pregnancy target of 6.5%, which means insulin intensification is needed. Basal bolus insulin therapy is safe during pregnancy. However, since semaglutide is not approved for pregnancy, the most important action is to stop the administration of this GLP-1 RA. Metformin can be continued through the first trimester and the insulin would need to be intensified to get A1C to target.
Want to learn more about this question? Join us for our webinar
Pregnancy & Diabetes Standards | Level 2 | $29 for 1.5 CEs
Recorded & Ready to Watch!
Pregnancy with diabetes is confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education, and understanding. This course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals, and prevention of complications during pregnancy. A helpful review for the CDCES Exam and for those who want more information on people who are pregnant and live with Diabetes.
Objectives:
- Three issues that affect pregnancy with diabetes
- The unique attributes of pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy and gestational diabetes
- Diagnostic criteria and management goals for gestational diabetes
- Potential short term and long term complications of fetal exposure to hypoglycemia
- Prevention measures to keep parent and baby healthy
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Question of the Week | Best glucose monitoring practice in the hospital?
JL is a new nursing graduate and asks you questions about glucose monitoring in the inpatient setting. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding providing diabetes care in the hospital setting?
- If a patient is experiencing morning hypoglycemia, reduce basal insulin.
- Nursing staff can use the patient’s CGM glucose results to determine insulin dose.
- Any patient admitted with a glucose of 140 mg/dl or greater, confirmed on two different occasions, needs to be started on insulin.
- Hospital point-of-care glucose meters are mostly as accurate as lab glucose results.
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
Want to learn more about this question? Join us for our webinar
Hospitals & Hyperglycemia Standards | Level 2 | $29 for 1.5 CEs
Recorded & Ready to Watch!
Research clearly demonstrates the importance of glucose control during hospitalization to improve outcomes not only in the inpatient setting but after discharge. This course reviews the evidence that supports inpatient glucose control and outlines practical strategies to achieve targets in the inpatient setting. We incorporate the latest ADA Standards and provide links to resources and inpatient management templates.
Objectives:
- The impact of hyperglycemia in the hospital setting
- The importance of inpatient glucose control
- Three strategies to get glucose to the goal in the hospital setting
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
You’re Invited | Hospitals & Hyperglycemia Standards Webinar
Join us for our final 2022 Standards of Care Intensive Update!
Hospitals & Hyperglycemia | Level 2 | $29 for 1.5 CEs
Join us live Thursday, May 26 at 11:30 am PST
Research clearly demonstrates the importance of glucose control during hospitalization to improve outcomes not only in the inpatient setting but after discharge. This course reviews the evidence that supports inpatient glucose control and outlines practical strategies to achieve targets in the inpatient setting. We incorporate the latest ADA Standards and provide links to resources and inpatient management templates.
Objectives:
- The impact of hyperglycemia in the hospital setting
- The importance of inpatient glucose control
- Three strategies to get glucose to goal in the hospital setting
Studying for the CDCES Exam?
Enroll in CDCES Online Prep Bundle + 5th Ed ADCES Review Guide Book | 47 CEs
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle plus the ADCES Review Guide.
The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
What is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist?
Read More: What is a CDCES? First awarded in 1986, as Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential and in 2020 with a new name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to more accurately reflect the specialty. CDCES has become a standard of excellence for the delivery of quality diabetes education. Those who hold this certification are known to possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, management, and prediabetes. “Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM 
Why become a CDCES?
Three Reasons from Coach Beverly
Read More: 3 Reasons to Become a CDCES “The best part of becoming a CDCES is working with my colleagues and people living with diabetes. As diabetes educators, we hear compelling and beautiful life stories. I am astounded by the barriers they face and inspired by their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience.” Reason 1: CDCES is a widely recognized certification by employers and health care professionals throughout the U.S. This credential demonstrates a specialized and in-depth knowledge in the prevention and treatment of individuals living with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Reason 2: Currently, 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 35% have pre-diabetes which means 45% of Americans are running around with elevated blood glucose levels. Given this epidemic, there will be plenty of future job opportunities. Reason 3: Having my CDCES along with my nursing degree, has opened many doors of opportunity; from working as an inpatient Diabetes Nurse Specialist in a hospital to working as a Manager of Diabetes Education in the outpatient setting to starting my own consulting company.
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!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
High Dose Ozempic Superior at Dropping A1c & Body Weight
The injectable GLP-1 semaglutide (Ozempic) can now be dosed up to 2.0mg a week. This higher maximum dose provides greater reductions in body weight (6.9kgs vs 6.0kgs) and A1c (2.2 vs 1.9% ) when compared to 1.0 semaglutide dose. There was a comparable safety profile with both doses. However, more people experienced negative gastrointestinal side effects when receiving the higher dose (34% compared to 30.8%).
This is good news for people with type 2 diabetes who would like to benefit from both A1C and weight reduction. Plus, semaglutide lowers the risk of cardiovascular events.
Without insurance coverage, this medication costs about $1000 for a month’s supply. However, since semaglutide (Ozempic) is an established diabetes medication covered by many insurance plans, we are hopeful that people who would benefit from this therapy will have access to this higher dose.
The SUSTAIN FORTE trial lasted for 40-weeks and enrolled 961 patients with type 2 diabetes with an A1C of 8.0-10.0%. All patients in the trial initiated treatment with a 0.25 mg dose of semaglutide that was doubled every 4 weeks until the target dose was achieved.
In addition to reduction in A1C and body weight, the semaglutide 2.0 mg arm of the trial saw a greater proportion of patients achieve an A1C less than 7% (67.6% vs 57.5% [OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.21-2.13; P=.001]) or a body weight reduction greater than 5% (59.2% vs 51.3% [OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.08-1.84]) than the semaglutide 1.0 mg arm.
We have updated our Diabetes Medication PocketCard with this higher maximum dose or our website, CDCES Coach App, and printed PocketCards.
Studying for the CDCES Exam?
Enroll in CDCES Online Prep Bundle + 5th Ed ADCES Review Guide Book | 47 CEs
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle plus the ADCES Review Guide.
The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
What is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist?
Read More: What is a CDCES? First awarded in 1986, as Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential and in 2020 with a new name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to more accurately reflect the specialty. CDCES has become a standard of excellence for the delivery of quality diabetes education. Those who hold this certification are known to possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, management, and prediabetes. “Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Why become a CDCES?
Three Reasons from Coach Beverly
Read More: 3 Reasons to Become a CDCES “The best part of becoming a CDCES is working with my colleagues and people living with diabetes. As diabetes educators, we hear compelling and beautiful life stories. I am astounded by the barriers they face and inspired by their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience.” Reason 1: CDCES is a widely recognized certification by employers and health care professionals throughout the U.S. This credential demonstrates a specialized and in-depth knowledge in the prevention and treatment of individuals living with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Reason 2: Currently, 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 35% have pre-diabetes which means 45% of Americans are running around with elevated blood glucose levels. Given this epidemic, there will be plenty of future job opportunities. Reason 3: Having my CDCES along with my nursing degree, has opened many doors of opportunity; from working as an inpatient Diabetes Nurse Specialist in a hospital to working as a Manager of Diabetes Education in the outpatient setting to starting my own consulting company.
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!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Rationale of the Week | Insulin safe for older adults?
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed test takers on if insulin is safe for older adults. 78% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question
Question: For older adults with diabetes using insulin therapy, which of the following is the most accurate statement?
Answer Choices:
- Due to cognitive decline, continuous glucose monitoring is not recommended for older adults.
- Older adults are at greater risk of hypoglycemia than younger adults.
- Divide basal insulin into two separate doses to enhance absorption.
- Give insulin after meals to prevent hypoglycemia.
As shown above, the most common choice was option 2, the second most common answer was option 4, then option 3, and finally 1.
Getting to the Best Answer
Answer 1 is incorrect. 4.40% chose this answer, “Due to cognitive decline, continuous glucose monitoring is not recommended for older adults.” Many older adults on intensive insulin therapy with a history of hypoglycemia can benefit from CGM technology to prevent low blood sugars and fine tune carb intake and insulin dosing. Each older adult needs a individualized assessment to determine if a CGM is right for them. The rate of cognitive decline is complex and is a result of genetics, other chronic conditions and overall health combined with aging.
Answer 2 is correct. 78.20% of you chose this answer, “Older adults are at greater risk of hypoglycemia than younger adults. GREAT JOB, almost 80% of you chose this best answer. As people with diabetes age, they are at higher risk for low blood sugars for many reasons, especially if they are taking insulin or a secretagogue. Older individuals may have diminished renal function, which increases the duration of the action of insulin and secretagogues. Some can experience lower calorie intake due to decreasing appetite, trouble chewing, lack of resources, forgetfulness or depression and feelings of isolation. Others may have difficulty administering their insulin or medications accurately or may forget to eat after injections. For this reason, the ADA Standards recommends that older adults are assessed for hypoglycemia risk at each visit coupled with problem solving as needed.
Answer 3 is incorrect. 7.55% of respondents chose this answer, “Divide basal insulin into two separate doses to enhance absorption.” This is a juicy answer. For older adults at risk for hypoglycemia, the ADA does recommend scheduling the basal insulin for the morning instead of evening.
Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 9.85% chose this answer, “Give insulin after meals to prevent hypoglycemia.” Another juicy answer. This answer implies that all older people should take their insulin after meals. Some individuals might benefit from post-meal insulin, especially if they are not sure how much they are going to eat and they have a history of hypoglycemia. However, insulin works best when given before the meal so it peaks at the same time the post meal glucose is peaking.
Studying for the CDCES Exam?
Enroll in CDCES Online Prep Bundle + 5th Ed ADCES Review Guide Book | 47 CEs
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle plus the ADCES Review Guide.
The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
What is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist?
Read More: What is a CDCES? First awarded in 1986, as Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential and in 2020 with a new name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to more accurately reflect the specialty. CDCES has become a standard of excellence for the delivery of quality diabetes education. Those who hold this certification are known to possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, management, and prediabetes. “Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Why become a CDCES?
Three Reasons from Coach Beverly
Read More: 3 Reasons to Become a CDCES “The best part of becoming a CDCES is working with my colleagues and people living with diabetes. As diabetes educators, we hear compelling and beautiful life stories. I am astounded by the barriers they face and inspired by their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience.” Reason 1: CDCES is a widely recognized certification by employers and health care professionals throughout the U.S. This credential demonstrates a specialized and in-depth knowledge in the prevention and treatment of individuals living with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Reason 2: Currently, 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 35% have pre-diabetes which means 45% of Americans are running around with elevated blood glucose levels. Given this epidemic, there will be plenty of future job opportunities. Reason 3: Having my CDCES along with my nursing degree, has opened many doors of opportunity; from working as an inpatient Diabetes Nurse Specialist in a hospital to working as a Manager of Diabetes Education in the outpatient setting to starting my own consulting company.
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!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
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