Selecting the Best Diabetes Technology for Patients

American Diabetes Association Offers Nine Free CME Modules on Diabetes Technology

March 21, 2022

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By Michael Cronyn, MPAS, PA-C, CDCES, DFAAPA

There are many tools to help patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) today. The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) is dedicated to providing education and support to patients and caregivers. The ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, updated and published yearly, is a resource for both medical providers and educators. These standards provide evidence-based guidance and direction for optimal care in diagnosis and treatment of patients with DM, type-1, type-2, and gestational diabetes.

The ADA states that, “Diabetes technology, when coupled with education and follow-up, can improve the lives and health of people with diabetes.” However, it also notes that the complexity of diabetes technology and rapid change in the technology landscape can be barriers to implementing technology in clinical practice.

The landscape for treating diabetes is no longer limited to medications, hemoglobin A1C, and blood glucose testing. Over the years, we have seen the explosion of diabetes management technologies that patients can use to improve their A1C targets. Our primary goal, as PAs, is to improve blood glucose (BG) regulation, which is the centerpiece to our overall DM treatment plans.

Technology, when offered to someone with the interest and capabilities, can significantly improve health outcomes. The ADA recommends that, “diabetes technology use should be individualized based on patients’ needs, desires, skills, and access to devices.”

The ADA has created a free continuing education series for PAs and medical practitioners to better understand the changes in the landscape of diabetes technology. This CME series will help you, the PA, as you consider implementing diabetes management technology for your patients with DM. There are lessons on how to interpret these technologies and apply them to an individual’s self-care management and treatment modalities.

This free CME series by the ADA is titled Making Diabetes Technology Work. This is a nine-part accredited series for PAs and other healthcare practitioners providing evidence-based information on modern insulin delivery devices, advances in the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) devices, and connectivity between these various devices.

As a PA, I have been involved in DM treatment, self-management training, and diabetes education for over 35 years. I have seen an exponential growth in the number of devices and treatments available during this time. This explosion of technology can be overwhelming for practitioners and patients. I personally use the ADA Standards of Care to align myself with evidence-based guidance on how to modernize my care to benefit patients with DM. As a contributor to the ADA Making Diabetes Technology Work program, my presentation can be found in Module 4, “How to Select the Best Technology for Each Patient’s Needs.”

[Earn CME with each issue of our clinical journal, JAAPA, free with membership]

This program will introduce devices for DM management and explore how each one may be appropriate for individual patient care. You can view each of the nine modules individually or view them all to receive CME credit. I have viewed them all and have found them to be transformational, as each module will update your knowledge on how to improve the quality of DM treatment through technology.

It is important to understand that this program does not endorse one technology over another but emphasizes that these devices are chosen to fit your patient’s abilities and needs, along with meeting your work environment abilities as well.

This free CME series by the ADA is designed for those involved in managing patients with DM. I truly believe that this program will provide you with the tools to expand your knowledge, opportunities, and prepare you to provide optimal care for those with DM.

Get 2022 CME credits at no charge. Enroll in Making Diabetes Technology Work today.