Graduation, whether from grammar school, high school, or college, is never the end; it’s a new beginning.

Diabetes Self-Management Support (DSMS) can be that new beginning for patients with diabetes, after “graduating” from our self-management education sessions.

Just as a new high school graduate looks ahead to college with excitement and a little apprehension, our patients look ahead to their future with diabetes with lots of different emotions.

A parent might provide support (financial, emotional, or otherwise) as their young adult navigates though a new school, and our patients will need support and guidance from their support network and healthcare team as they navigate through the healthcare system.

What is our role in the provision of DSMS? Standard #8 of the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support states:

The participant and instructor(s) will together develop a personalized follow-up plan for ongoing self-management support. The participant’s outcomes and goals and the plan for ongoing self-management support will be communicated to other members of the health care team.

How do you provide DSMS? Is it a collaborative process? What tools or resources do you find most helpful?

I would love to know if any of you currently use or have used the Diabetes Conversation Map® tools to provide or enhance DSMS.

Just as we would be there our loved ones, let’s be there for our patients. Not only do they need our help with facilitating behavior change but also guidance as they embark on new challenges and enjoy sweet successes. Each graduate is unique in his or her own needs, as are the patients that we serve. Let’s remember to do our best by our patients and provide support that is focused on the goals that are most meaningful to them.

Cathy

P.S. Congratulations to those of you celebrating graduations in your circle of friends and family!