Panel Discussion: Role of Clinicians and Diabetes Educators in Lifestyle Management

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Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD, FACE, leads a discussion on how clinicians and diabetes educators can integrate clinical practices and multi-disciplinary approaches in managing patient lifestyles, and are more effective when covered by insurance. He is joined by Andrew S. Pumerantz, DO, FACP; Melinda Maryniuk, MEd, RD, CDE; Albert Tzeel, MD, MHSA, FACPE; and Edward Phillips, MD.

Pumerantz, from the Western Diabetes Institute, explains that their care model originated from rethinking the diagnosis of diabetes and forming a comprehensive evaluation for patients. He said that he needed to create a common language in order for the different disciplines and providers to be on the same page. This way, even the patient would have a better understanding of the complexity and severity of their condition.

Maryniuk adds that the standards set for achieving quality diabetes education is in turn important “for setting the evidence-based quality standards by which educational programs or individual practitioners need to ascribe.” She says that diabetes educators are taking up new roles as community health workers and peer counselors, which allows improved access to consistent and accurate diabetes information for patients.

The panelists discuss the idea of providers as educators as well as the emergence of a “personal healthcare coach” when it comes to lifestyle intervention and management.