WHS Diabetes Education Seeks to Engage Patients for Better Health

By Andrew Wilson

Being newly diagnosed with diabetes may seem overwhelming, and the first question many people have is “Where do you start?”

“The biggest thing is education,” said Ashley Markle, RN, BSN, MBA, manager of diabetes education at Washington Health System (WHS). “The more people understand about diabetes and the disease process, the more beneficial it will be for their health.”

Diabetes is manageable, but for most people it necessitates making lifestyle changes in diet and nutrition, activity, and understanding the medications that must be taken daily. Each patient is different and so are the challenges that must be faced.

WHS recently revamped its diabetes education program to make it more engaging for patients. It begins with an initial assessment during a meeting with a diabetes educator. There are some basic objectives to be determined during this first meeting including assessing a patient’s diet and lifestyle to see if there are any barriers that might need to be overcome. But the primary objective of this first meeting is to listen to the patient and determine what they hope to achieve.

“At this first meeting, we will talk with a patient to determine what goals they have for managing their condition,” said Markle. “Understanding their goals is the most important thing in the beginning.”

Some patients may have goals that may take longer to achieve, but there are shorter term goals that can build toward the longer objective. For example, a patient’s A1C – an important measure of the average blood sugar reading over the past 90 days – may not reach the target measurement immediately, but by making recommended changes in diet and activity, it can gradually be lowered to the goal.

Classes are recommended for newly diagnosed diabetics. To lead or facilitate the classes, WHS has two dietitians, one registered nurse, one person who can discuss the emotional aspects of diabetes, and a pharmacist who can do a specific review of the medications patients are taking. Classes are three hours, three times a month, but WHS has changed the composition to be more of a discussion than a lecture.

“We wanted to make the classes more engaging,” said Markle. “If it’s not going to be something people want to do then it won’t be successful.”

To make each class more engaging, WHS uses conversation maps, which Markle likens to a board game like Candyland. As the educator and the patients sit around the map, they touch on the same topics that might have been covered in a lecture, but in a way that draws the patient in and helps them to see that their condition is manageable with the right approach.

The map for the first class is called “On the Road to Better Managing,” and it introduces some key concepts and facts about how the body processes food, breaks it down into glucose, and how this process will affect the patient’s condition.

“This is a good class for first time patients with diabetes,” said Markle.

The second class is all about managing blood sugars. The main discussion points are when to monitor, what range is good, and how best to deal with both high and low blood sugars.

The third class is about healthy eating and continuing the journey. Discussion centers around the challenges that people face in both the short and long term. There are tips for managing and understanding blood sugars, as well as the long-term effects of diabetes.

“We encourage conversations about diet and nutrition, particularly when it comes to eating out,” said Markle. “We talk about what foods to eat in a restaurant, what to choose, and what is best to avoid.”

While WHS seeks to make the classes engaging and welcoming to all, they also realize that it can be intimidating for some newly diagnosed patients with diabetes to discuss their condition in a group setting. To ease this anxiety, WHS offers two solutions: one-on-one sessions are available, if that is preferred, but they also encourage patients to bring a support person with them to either the one-on-one or group classes.

Generally, the classes are covered by insurance, but Markle recommends that patients reach out to their insurance company first to determine if there is any additional cost for the individual.

If you have questions, or you would like more information about Washington Health System Diabetes Education and Management Program (DEMP), please contact the Outpatient Service Request line by calling (724) 250-6262 or patients can visit the office located at 95 Leonard Ave. Bldg. 2, Suite 501 in Washington, Pennsylvania.