The Constantly Changing Role of Diabetes Educators

Abstract

D iabetes educators are health care professionals qualified to work and help people with and at risk for diabetes. The role of diabetes educators is dynamic and shaped by the environment in which they practice and by developments in research and technology. Signs indicate that health care is moving toward a focus on primary care and wellness. We have heard this before, but I believe this time the notion of prevention and wellness will come true. What’s in it for diabetes educators? Plenty! Primary care, access, and wellness have long been the work of diabetes educators. Thinking back over the years, diabetes educators have delivered care to those who had trouble accessing it or affording it. Our current health care system is focused on costly acute and tertiary care. Could it be that we will now move, however slowly, toward a model where we intervene in people’s lives early enough to prevent some of the major diabetes-related complications that plague our population and cost us a fortune? And will such preventive care be valued and reimbursed at a level reasonable enough to support educators? Hopefully. Either way, diabetes educators will be in the forefront. The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is diligent in preparing future educators at all levels. It is an association of health care professionals dedicated to integrating successful management as a key outcome in the care of people with diabetes. AADE is key to your professional success—providing opportunities and resources to advance skills and career goals while offering a vibrant, supportive network. AADE has made it a priority to create materials and resources that will strengthen practice, produce products and programs that support members, and embrace initiatives that promote change. As diabetes educators, we have an opportunity to set the pace for the future by using the talents and skills we’ve learned over the years. As we look to the future, there is no doubt that change is coming, and so is a continuing bright future for diabetes educators. It’s not enough to wait for the change; we should be driving it. The future might not look the same, but the talents, skills, and values shaping it will be. AADE is committed to work hard and prepare educators for the variety of roles they will play moving forward.