Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) can help primary care providers save and reallocate some of the time they might typically spend following up with diabetes patients and educating them on their diabetes management regimens. CDEs are skilled healthcare professionals (RN, OT, PT, PA, PharmD, etc.) who can lead discussions with patients about their medications and therapy programs. They can also schedule the necessary follow-up visits and provide guidance on issues like “needlephobia” and glucose logging.

In order to become a CDE, applicants need a minimum of 1000 professional hours in the field of diabetes self-management education (DSME), with 400 of those hours required to be from the past 12 months. After passing the exam to become a CDE, there is also a continuing education requirement in order to maintain the credentials.

Carolyn Gershenson, RN, MSN, CDE
Certified Diabetes Educator: NY Diabetes & Insulin Pump Consultants / American Diabetes Association