Promote Self-Management Education

Quick Reference Guide

Self-Management Education (SME) should be discussed at every diabetes-focused visit and individualized according to type of diabetes, patient ability, and motivation for learning and change.

 

Self-Management Areas of Focus	Collaborate with your patient to create an action plan on their identified area of focus
Diabetes Education	Enable timely, culturally and literacy appropriate diabetes education and resources
Nutrition	Encourage to follow Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide and refer for dietary counseling
Physical Activity	Minimum 150 minutes aerobic per week and resistance exercise 2-3 times per week
Weight loss (5-10% of initial weight)	Can substantially improve glycemic control and cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight patients
Medication	Counsel about adherence (dose, timing, frequency), anticipated effects, and mechanism of action
Hypoglycemia	Counsel about the prevention, recognition, and treatment of drug-induced hypoglycemia
Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG)	Not on insulin: Individualized to type of antihyperglycemic agents, level of control, and risk of hypoglycemia On insulin only once a day: SMBG ≥ once a day at variable times On insulin > once a day: SMBG ≥ 3 times per day including pre- and post-prandial values
Foot care	Educate on proper foot care including daily foot inspection
Mental Health & Mood Disorders	Screen for depressive and anxious symptoms by interview or standardized questionnaire (eg. PHQ-9) www.phqscreeners.com
Smoking Cessation	Include formal smoking prevention and cessation counseling

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