A diabetes empowerment tool, originally developed by the Seton Diabetes Education Department, is now available to diabetic patients throughout Central Texas. The pocket-sized folding card assists patients with self-management of their diabetes by providing a simple, portable reminder system to monitor and track important health indicators that are associated with living well and staying out of the hospital.

An estimated 18 million people in the United States have diabetes and that number is growing. Approximately 6.3 percent of the total U.S. population has diabetes, with the rate in Central Texas just over the national average. In addition, many more people have diabetes and dont even know it, so getting regular check-ups is important. Although diabetes is a chronic condition that can result in multiple complications, it is possible to live a healthy life with diabetes as long as the patient gets appropriate care and follows evidence-based recommendations for self-management of their disease.

"We developed the Seton Diabetes Passport several years ago to assist patients at our community clinics," says Seton Diabetes Education Program Manager Karen McAfee, MSN, RN. "We had so many requests from other clinics and providers across the community to use it that we collaborated with the other providers to create a single version that can work for patients across the community. The original Diabetes Passport has been renamed and redesigned, and now includes a section that allows the patient to self-define what their personal health issues are. It is very useful in a patients conversation with the various doctors they see because the patient is instructed to always keep the card with them, and they can show each doctor how they are doing with regard to completing the different things they need to do to stay well. The card also serves as a reminder about what questions they need to ask their doctor, and what tests or procedures need to be completed."

Personal Diabetes Guide

The new version, now known as the Personal Diabetes Guide serves as a type of road map for diabetic patients, to help ensure that they complete all aspects of care that are recommended for staying well. It is designed to self-empower patients to improve their own health by helping them:

• Remember how often their provider wants them to check their blood sugar,
  
• Remember the importance of foot care,
  
• Remember the importance of exercise,
  
• Remember the importance of attending classes,
  
• Remember when they should call their clinic or provider for an appointment,
  
• Recognize and treat high versus low blood sugars,
  
• Complete all of the evidence-based best practices (dental, eye, foot exams),
  
• Know and better understand their medications,
  
• Understand the meaning and frequency of their lab tests,
  
• Set and update goals for themselves,
  
• Remember questions they want to ask their physician, and
  
• Increase their chances of staying well and out of the hospital.

"The redesign is expected to align this innovative tool throughout the community, so that there is a single, consistent record that all patients and all providers can understand," adds McAfee.

Diabetes Education in Central Texas

The Seton Diabetes Education Program (512) 324-1891 offers a 10-hour curriculum (in three separate classes or in one-on-one appointments) that is certified by the American Diabetes Association, which has strict guidelines and requires stringent data reporting. Registered nurses and clinical dietitians provide the classes. The classes are suitable for both Type I and Type II diabetes patients.

"Our goal is to help you live well with your disease," says McAfee. "We help you learn how to modify your diet so that you can eat the things you like but keep your blood sugar in control. We also emphasize the importance of exercise, and tips for controlling your weight to help you live a longer and happier life. Many people believe they have to give up everything they enjoy if they have diabetes and they are usually relieved to learn there are options. We also help you learn about your medications, how to use a glucose meter, nutrition basics, and other tips to you stay well and out of the hospital."

The classes also focus on preventing heart and kidney disease that often go hand-in-hand with diabetes, and they teach useful information such as which tests are most l important and how to understand them. The Personal Diabetes Guide serves as a reminder to ask your doctor about tests that should be performed regularly and it helps remind you to keep your immunizations up to date.

"We hope to make this tool available to diabetic patients throughout the community, regardless of where they get their medical care," says McAfee. "It's a single, simple card, with a blood glucose record that folds and fits inside. We have found that patients who fill it out and keep up with it tend to be much healthier than the ones who don't."

The Diabetes Passport has also gained ground in other areas of the state. The Texas Medical Foundation adopted the original Seton-developed Diabetes Passport several years ago, to make it available for use by physicians state-wide, and the Texas Department of Health added it to their Diabetes Tool Kit at that time. Recently, the state Medicaid program asked us if they can begin using it for their Medicaid patients with diabetes and, more recently, the Texas Department of State Health Services began looking at possibly helping us print and distribute the new version for all Austin diabetic patients as a pilot program. We expect the new community-friendly version to be widely available soon through churches, community centers and various Austin clinics."

Personal Diabetes Guide and Other Resources

You can print your own Personal Diabetes Guide here. The printed version will be available at clinics, community centers and churches throughout our area beginning this summer. Check online for more information on the Seton Diabetes Education Center or call (512) 324-1891.

Other good resources for information about diabetes are the Texas Diabetes Council, the American Diabetes Association or Good Health.com health encyclopedia Diabetes Learning Center.