Terminology

Many terms and acronyms are used when discussing DSMES services. Some of this terminology is defined below. See the Glossary for other frequently used acronyms.

Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME)

DSME is “the active, ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care.” (Joint Statement from ADA, AADE, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [PDF – 2 MB])

Diabetes Self-Management Support (DSMS)

DSMS “refers to the support that is required for implementing and sustaining coping skills and behaviors needed to self-manage on an ongoing basis.” (Joint Statement from ADA, AADE, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, page 1)

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)

DSMES is “the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care, as well as activities that assist a person in implementing and sustaining the behaviors needed to manage his or her condition on an ongoing basis, beyond or outside of formal self-management training.” (2017 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support)

By combining DSME and DSMS, services can “address the patient’s health beliefs, cultural needs, current knowledge, physical limitations, emotional concerns, family support, financial status, medical history, health literacy, numeracy, and other factors that influence each person’s ability to meet the challenges of self-management.” (Joint Statement from ADA, AADE, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, page 1).

Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the term training instead of education when defining the reimbursable benefit (DSMT). (Joint Statement from ADA, AADE, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). The term DSMT is used specifically as related to billing.

Service vs. Program

The 2017 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support explain: “Previous Standards have used the term program; however, when focusing on the needs of an individual, this term is no longer relevant. The use of DSMES services more clearly delineates the need to individualize and identify the elements of DSMES appropriate for an individual.”