From Pointe Diabetes Center NDEP Mobile Education Unit
Standards, it is all about logical standards
Standards, it is all about logical standards
As many of you know I am diabetic. And often that comes with the “I have to try it” new food or product mentality.
And frankly I am dismayed at the idea that sugar free foods are better for you. Anticavity wise yes. But for diabetes, come on its not that good for you. Just look at the stuff that they have to add to make up for the sugar, and look at the reduced size of an item to compensate for those additives.
That wonderful mint under taste does not belong in a pseudo Oreo!
No its does not belong in soda or cereal either And those sugar free items are misleading to so many. In a recent discussion with my support group, we were talking about out of control numbers. Many newly diagnosed think if they buy sugar free items they can eat all they want. But it took two hours to explain that Sugar free is not carbohydrate free. But Many educators are not driving home certain points. Either because they do not know, or they do not live the experience daily. That’s another point. We need lay diabetes educators who live the process day in and day out.
And we need to have STANDARDS that are maintained. For example:
I have encountered too many CDES who come up with their own skewed ideas.
New idea is its ok to test once in a while. It is not. You have to test at least twice daily.
The new thought that testing does nothing for type 2s is SO WRONG. If anything type 2s need more testing as they often have more advanced complications and oral medications are not as efficient and often fail versus Insulin.
Others say that all you have to do is stay away from cookies cake and bread. I HAVE HEARD THEM SAY THIS IN CLASS! Amazing that they do not even go by the standards of care that they are supposed to know.
Some CDES do not know about Ketones or if they spout don’t know how to explain what it is.
Many CDEs don’t understand exchanging, insulin and reaction, or how about algorithms for insulin sliding scale for type 2s.
Many say exercise but give no examples or options. So many Diabetics head to a gym only to become dissatisfied at the options and intensity.
The benefit of Lay DE’s that are diabetic is we have experienced good education, bad education. We live false information that often has catastrophic consequences and when we get good information it changes our day and the quality of our lives. As any DE who is not diabetic how low blood sugar feels and they can’t answer. They can’t explain Dawn Phenomena, nor can they explain glycogen secretion during exercise.
They can’t explain how some oral medications work and many times they cant answer simple questions on using vitamins. And what’s even more frightening is many do not go for continuing education.
Lay diabetes Educators do. We live it. So we want to know more.
Now I am not saying there are not good CDES I was fortunate enough to experience the best of the best. Mary and the team at Baptist in Downtown Knoxville were the best of the best. I know I am living proof that standards reinforced information, information and education that is time tested and true is the key. I am living proof.
I am often numb and dumbfounded at the diabetics in our community. There is really no reason that they that are facing limb loss, stroke etc.
I get this way because no matter how hard we try to get the point across, the ultimate one who has the ability to control it, is the individual. We can talk until we are hoarse. W can be there when they go back into the hospital and we can give support.
Sure I get colds that hang on. But otherwise I am active and for the most part healthy.
It is time for Diabetes Educator reform and expansion. Certify Lay diabetes Educators who are diabetic. These are the most comfortable people to pass on tried and true information in a time where many RN CDEs are making stuff up.
I run the Pointe Diabetes Center. I am Diabetic, I am an Aqua Fitness instructor and a CAM doctor and Pharmacy Tech.I am diabetic and I work with the NDEP/NIDDK to bring tried and true information to you, the diabetic public.
Posted by Pointe Diabetes Center NDEP Mobile Education Unit
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