Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology
Outpatient Diabetes Education
Managing diabetes affects all aspects of the individual’s
life: meal planning, physical activity, knowing how and when
to take medications, what to do when schedules vary and staying
motivated. With the right tools, education, and support, it
is possible to be healthy, enjoy life, and prevent complications.
By working with the team from Saint Mary’s, we help people
with diabetes control their diabetes. . . so it doesn’t
control them.
The Saint Mary’s Outpatient Self-Management Education
Program offers individual and group sessions. Once the educational
needs are assessed, the educator and patient will decide which
parts of the program will provide the most benefit. Because
diabetes affects both the patient and family, relatives and
friends are encouraged to attend all sessions. Many of our
newly diagnosed patients find it helpful to meet with the
Registered Nurse Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitian
first and then attend the Diabetes Management course. A series
of classes are offered each week during convenient daytime
and evening hours. Classes are taught by nurse diabetes educators,
registered dietitians, and podiatrists. Classes offer "hands
on" activities and interactive learning.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding your diabetes
- Meal planning
- Diabetes medications
- Exercise/activity
- Diabetes management during illness
- Short- and long- term complications
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Foot care
- Psychological adjustment and family support
- Available resources in the community
- Recognizing and responding to high and low blood sugars
People that have had previous education may meet individually
with the diabetes educator or attend small group sessions.
Individual sessions that can be ordered include:
- Assessment and education plan
- Insulin injections
- Self-blood glucose monitoring
- Self-management skills
- Pattern control
- Gestational diabetes
- Follow-up
 Advanced
topic sessions are offered focusing on requested topics including
motivation, stress, carbohydrate counting, quick and healthy
cooking tips, eating out, cooking demonstrations, traveling
tips – just to name a few.
The staff of the Outpatient Self-Management Diabetes Program
are Certified Diabetes Educators, with many years of clinical
and educational experience. Several of the staff are actively
involved in diabetes organizations at the local, state, and
national levels and have presented at many workshops and seminars
throughout the country.
Costs of the education or management program depend on the
services needed. Although many of these costs are covered
by insurance, they require an order by the primary care physician.
The Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology is located in the
new Peter M. Wege Center for Health & Learning. The Center
offers the convenience of all diabetes team members in one
place. The patient can meet with the nurse educator and registered
dietitian in one visit. The Center also offers the highest
educational technology in our consumer resource library, classrooms,
and demonstration kitchen.
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