Diabetes Educators: Need Of The Hour

Dr Pradeep Gadge explains the crucial role a Diabetes educator plays to help manage Diabetes

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Diabetes epidemic

Diabetes is characterised by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce or use insulin. Worldwide, the number of individuals with Diabetes is growing at an unprecedented rate. The World Health Organisation (WHO) th projects Diabetes to be the 7 leading cause of death by the year 2030. Diabetes affects one in 12 people and half of this population remains undiagnosed.

Along with the growing number of people with any type of Diabetes are the increased challenges many doctors face every day to provide optimal care. Doctors know the importance of basic standard care but most people with Diabetes do not receive such care. Adherence to treatment and doctor’s consultation time for people with Diabetes were two cited barriers to optimal care. Here, a Diabetes educator, as a part of a strong core team, can help people with Diabetes learn self-management skills.

Diabetes awareness

India also accounts for the majority of the children with Type 1 Diabetes. The last few decades have seen a major change in disease management. Unlike earlier, the focus has now moved from doctor to people with Diabetes. Today, we empower people with Diabetes with knowledge, enabling them to take care on their own. Diabetes is a chronic progressive disorder that needs continuous care beyond what a doctor provides. Diabetes may not have a cure, but you can manage it and live well. The increasing prevalence of Diabetes and the growing focus on its prevention require strategies for providing people with knowledge, skills and strategies they need and can use. This facilitates a person to make multiple decisions for day-to-day care, such as diet, medication, insulin dose, etc.