Podcast Series%WP_TITLE_SEP%The Huddle: Conversations with the Diabetes Care Team

Proper foot care is a critical component of diabetes self-management. In this episode we talk with podiatrist Dr. Jane Andersen about the importance of establishing a good relationship with your local podiatrist and what the diabetes care and education specialist can do to support the foot health of people with diabetes. We discuss complications like neuropathy, warning signs diabetes specialists should look for in their patients and when they should refer to a podiatrist.

Janice MacLeod, MA, RD, CDE, FAADE joins the show to discuss all things smart insulin pens. She sheds light on the challenges people face while using MDI therapy, tips on how diabetes care and education specialists can help people with diabetes get started using smart insulin pens, and much more.

Anyone can be impacted by health literacy barriers, no matter their ability or education level. That’s why assessing an individual to determine what they understand is critical to ensuring successful self-management. In this episode, Katherine O’Neal, Pharm.D., MBA, BCACP, CDE, BC-ADM, AE-C, CLS, co-author for AADE’s new cultural competency and health literacy practice paper, discusses ways to assess for health literacy and address barriers that might impact the individual’s ability to understand and follow treatment plans. We talk through the five categories of health literacy, identify how to assess for understanding and we end with tools you can use to overcome barriers.

Working with individuals from cultures different than your own can come with challenges that directly impact effective self-care. Diabetes care and education specialist Patricia Davidson, DCN, RDN, CDE, LDN, FAND is the co-author for AADE’s new cultural competency and health literacy practice paper and in this episode, shares her tips to implementing best practices for relevant, individualized care. We discuss why it’s critical to go beyond being culturally competent so that care addresses both cultural sensitivity and humility. We wrap up with tactics to implement culturally appropriate care.

Want to become an advocate for people with diabetes but not sure where to begin? AADE Director of Advocacy Kate Thomas talks to Suzanne Lohnes, MA, RN, CDE, CPT, about how she started on the path. Suzanne’s passion is advocating for persons with diabetes to make sure that they are provided the education and tools needed to successfully manage their disease and live a healthy life without complications. Listen to learn more about how this drive has shaped her involvement in legislation for coverage of continuous glucose monitoring devices in California.

Population health provides a mechanism to improve health outcomes for a group of individuals while providing high-quality, efficient and cost-effective care — all important outcomes as healthcare transitions from a fee-for-service model towards value-based care. If you are new to the subject, you may want to check out DiabetesEducator.org/PopulationHealth for resources that will introduce you to the role of the diabetes care team in population health.
In this episode, 2018 AADE President Donna Ryan breaks down population health into practical applications that any provider can begin implementing in their practice.

LaurieAnn Scher, MS, RD, CDE, and co-chair of AADE’s Technology Community of Interest shares important considerations for healthcare providers and diabetes care and education specialists who are looking to incorporate diabetes apps as tech tools in the toolbox of diabetes management. Learn more about who may benefit from using these health apps, safety considerations and where to find the best diabetes app reviews.

CEO and Founder of Children with Diabetes Jeff Hitchcock joins us to discuss the world of peer support communities for children with diabetes. He talks us through his experience as a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, how that inspired him to create a resource for other parents, and how this now global community has grown over the years to offer unique and tailored guidance that supports the daily living of families affected by diabetes.

Sheila Burke of Baker Donelson shares the latest updates on the Expanding Access to DSMT Bill and how recent advocacy efforts have this piece of legislation. She also shares her insights into potential variables that could influence the success of the bill, including the 2020 election and bipartisan priorities. The conversation shows the amount of strategy that is involved in passing a piece of legislation and the numerous ways you can show your support.

In this episode, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) expert Diana Isaacs explains the difference between CGMs and BGMs (blood glucose monitors), provides guidance on selecting the right device, and advice on how providers can onboard people with diabetes to their new devices. We also discuss how healthcare providers and diabetes educators can implement CGMs into their practice and why diabetes educators in particular should be leading the charge to incorporate more technology in practice. We wrap up the conversation with a brief discussion on what’s coming next and what you can do right now to better inform yourself about CGM.