Credentialled Diabetes Educators
A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a health professional who is an expert in diabetes education and management. They support people in self-managing their diabetes, overcoming challenges, and leading their healthiest life possible.
Where do Credentialled Diabetes Educators Practice?
CDEs work in both private and public health care settings. CDEs work in hospitals, community health centres, pharmacies, or medical centres. Some CDEs have a private practice or share one with other health professionals including working in a GP practice.
When should I see a Credentialled Diabetes Educator?
Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) support people living with diabetes as well as people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. They also support carers and guardians of people living with diabetes. For example, they may support both a child living with diabetes as well as the child’s parents. People who should see a CDE are:
- people living with type 1 diabetes
- people living with type 2 diabetes
- people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or told they have high blood glucose
- children living with type 1 diabetes and their carers or guardians
- children living with type 2 diabetes and their carers or guardians
- people living with gestational diabetes, during and after their pregnancy
- people living with type 1 diabetes who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or have recently been pregnant
- people living with an intellectual disability and type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and their carers or guardians
To better understand your diabetes journey, see the ADEA Diabetes Care Pathways to learn about your diabetes care team and when you should see a CDE. CDE services are recognised by Medicare for reimbursement with a GP referral.
What services do Credentialled Diabetes Educators provide?
CDEs support those living with diabetes to self-manage their diabetes effectively. Their role is to empower those living with diabetes with knowledge and guidance to understand the condition, overcome the challenges it may bring and gain confidence to live a healthy, full life. They do this by providing education and training, as well as clinical care.
As part of their role, CDEs:
- educate people on their diabetes, including complications with diabetes and its relation to other health conditions;
- offer advice and support around lifestyle changes that support diabetes management;
- give guidance on medication management safety (actions, timing, side effects) including the use of insulin therapy (e.g. correct injection technique, checking injection sites);
- provide education on the self-monitoring of blood glucose levels including technique and interpretation of results;
- support goal setting and the implementation of strategies to achieve health goals;
- encourage collaboration between other health providers involved in the diabetes health care team, such as general practitioners (GPs), specialist medical practitioners (endocrinologists/diabetologists), dietitians, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, podiatrists, optometrists, pharmacists and others.
To achieve the best care, CDEs use the latest evidence-based information and give advice which is tailored to the individual circumstances of a person, including their lifestyle, culture, and other personalised needs. CDEs understand that diabetes is different for everyone and adapt their care accordingly. CDEs strive to build trust as they work with their clients to share decisions and make plans together regarding diabetes care and management.
How are Credentialled Diabetes Educators qualified?
Credentialled means that the diabetes educator is certified as an expert in diabetes education and management by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).
To achieve this certification, qualified health professionals need to:
- complete a Graduate Certificate in diabetes education and management at an accredited university
- complete a minimum of 1000 hours of diabetes education practice
- undertake a minimum of six months of mentoring
- achieve 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year
- provide a referee report
For more detailed information about how a credentialed diabetes educator can help you please visit the Australian Diabetes Educators Association website.
Find a Practitioner
The Australian Diabetes Educators Association provides a Find a CDE service which can be accessed here.