Empowering People With Diabetes to Access DSMES

Key points

Diabetes care and education specialists (DCESs) can encourage people to ask their health care provider for a referral to DSMES services. Helping them find a local program is another simple way to encourage participation.

Mature woman smiling and using a mobile phone in her office

Make the DSMES connection

DCESs can ask people with diabetes if their health care provider has talked with them about DSMES. If not, DCESs can encourage them to ask their provider for a DSMES referral.

Asking about and addressing potential barriers is another way to promote DSMES services. See Overcoming Barriers to Referral and Treatment for more detailed information.

Find a local program‎

Help people with diabetes find a DSMES service that's convenient to them using this locator.

Explaining DSMES to people with diabetes can emphasize the benefits of these services. For example, DSMES services will help them:

  • Make better decisions about their diabetes.
  • Work with their health care team to get the support they need.
  • Understand how to take care of themselves and learn the skills to:
    • Eat healthy.
    • Be active.
    • Check their blood sugar (glucose).
    • Take medicines as prescribed.
    • Solve problems.
    • Cope with the emotional side of diabetes.
    • Reduce the risk of other health problems.

See the DSMES Promotion Playbook for a plain language description of DSMES services.

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Diabetes