Purpose The purpose of this study is to review the literature for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) to ensure the National Standards for DSMES (Standards) align with current evidence-based practices and utilization trends. Methods The 10 Standards were divided among 20 interdisciplinary workgroup members. Members searched the current research for diabetes education and support, behavioral health, clinical, health care environment, technical, reimbursement, and business practice for the strongest evidence that guided the Standards revision. Results Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support facilitates the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care as well as activities that assist a person in implementing and sustaining the behaviors needed to manage their condition on an ongoing basis. The evidence indicates that health care providers and people affected by diabetes are embracing technology, and this is having a positive impact of DSMES access, utilization, and outcomes. Conclusion Quality DSMES continues to be a critical element of care for all people with diabetes. The DSMES services must be individualized and guided by the concerns, preferences, and needs of the person affected by diabetes. Even with the abundance of evidence supporting the benefits of DSMES, it continues to be underutilized, but as with other health care services, technology is changing the way DSMES is delivered and utilized with positive outcomes.

Beck J, Greenwood DA, Blanton L, et al. 2017. National standards for diabetes self-management education and support. Diabetes Educ. 2017;43(5):449-464. (Original DOI: 10.1177/0145721717722968) In the October 2017 issue of The Diabetes Educator, the 2 opening paragraphs of the article contained errors. In addition, for author Ardis A. Reed, MPH, RD, LD, CDE, the correct affiliation should be listed as TMF Health Quality Institute, Austin, Texas. The corrected 2 opening paragraphs are as follows: By the most recent estimates, 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes. An estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed with diabetes and 7.2 million are believed to be living with undiagnosed diabetes. At the same time, 84.1 million people are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Thus, more than 114 million Americans are at risk for developing the devastating complications of diabetes. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is a critical element of care for all people with diabetes. DSMES is the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care as well as activities that assist a person in implementing and sustaining the behaviors needed to manage his or her condition on an ongoing basis, beyond or outside of formal self-management training. In previous National Standards for DSMES (Standards), DSMS and DSME were defined separately, but these Standards aim to reflect the value of ongoing support and multiple services.

Lori Blanton, a certified diabetes educator, provides her perspective on the role communication can play in the successful management of diabetes.