For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on self-efficacy and DSMES. 56% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and 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 by clicking here.

A person with diabetes comes to your clinic and states she lost her spouse 18 months ago. She continues to have prolonged grief, shame, and guilt. She expresses how this is negatively impacting her having diabetes.
What is the best way to respond to increase her self-efficacy within DSMES?
- A. Use motivation interviewing to help increase her self-management behaviors.
- B. Help facilitate a support group to assist in problem solving.
- C. Assist her with goal setting to address areas of her life she wants to improve.
- D. Refer her to a counselor to help and address other areas of DSMES.

Getting to the Best Answer
Answer A is incorrect. 19.35% chose this answer, “Use motivation interviewing to help increase her self-management behaviors.” This answer is incorrect. Motivational interviewing is used as one component within a broader, structured psychotherapy called prolonged-grief therapy.
Answer B is incorrect. 8.06% of you chose this answer, “Help facilitate a support group to assist in problem solving.” This answer is incorrect. Individual psychotherapy has the strongest evidence verses for prolonged grief disorder.
Answer is incorrect. About 16.94% of respondents chose this: “Assist her with goal setting to address areas of her life she wants to improve.” This answer is incorrect. Goal setting alone is not the preferred treatment for someone with persistent grief 18 months after spousal loss. CBT or prolonged grief therapy 1st line of treatment.
Finally, Answer D is correct. 55.65% chose this answer, “Refer her to a counselor to help and address other areas of DSMES.” This answer is correct. The preferred first line treatment for a patient with persistent, impairing grief 18 months after spousal loss is grief-focused psychotherapy, specifically prolonged-grief therapy.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
Want to Learn More about this Question?
Join us July 23rd for
A Foundation for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)

Set the stage for effective diabetes education and master the foundational principles that drive real outcomes for people with diabetes.
Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is essential for helping people with diabetes build knowledge and become empowered to manage their condition. Delivering the right content matters, and so does HOW that education is delivered. This course explores the behavioral strategies that support person-centered DSMES, helping you connect more effectively with the people you serve.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Implement active listening and creating a safe space
- Utilize strength-based, non-judgmental language
- Apply collaborative goal setting & shared decision making
- Assess self-efficacy & empowerment



