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How many times in 2022 did you have an appointment with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist?
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My educator has been Beverly helpful and flexible regarding her availability as needed.
I have never seen a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (or a CDE as they were previously called). I am not even sure if my current endocrinologist has one in the office. My previous endo did. It was me!
In my defense. I am not an overachiever regarding appointments. I was in clinical trials 2 times in 2022. Normally 0 is my number.
Am one.
We’ve seen one a lot this year, but it’s the first year of diagnosis, so I assume that number will go down a lot in following years.
I answered incorrectly. I didn’t meet with an DES this year.
Was one.
3 times in 2022 I met with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist either in person or over the phone.
I used to go to one in 2019 and part of 2020 but she said unless I am having troubles I shouldn’t need to see her again as my control was very good. She is retired now, but she was an excellent CDCES and was more thorough at checking me over than most doctors. She even recommended I go to a cardiologist as my heart didn’t sound right to her. The cardiologist found an abnormallty with my heart and now I see a cardiologist and vascular surgeon on a regular basis. Luckily I am totally doing fine right now but see the heart doctors to make sure my heart stays healthy. I recommended my CDCES to a few of my diabetic relatives.
Met with one shortly after diagnosis. Then again a year later a new CDE, but she couldn’t help me much – said that being low carb was something she couldn’t support, and my control and blood work was so good on paper there was nothing more she could recommend anyway.
I switch – one quarter my doctor, the next my CDE. I have done this for years because the CDE is so accessible. When.i need something the CDE can be counted on the handle scripts etc. It’s a great arrangement.
A CDE, or CDCES, cannot write RX orders unless they are also a mid-level practitioner such as a PA or NP. And not all NPs or PAs are certified as diabetes care and education specialists (CDCES).
Medicare requires me to see someone every 90 days so I see my endo once and my Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist three times per year. I’m sure she gets frustrated with me since I’m confident about managing things on my own based on >30 years of diabetes experience before I started seeing her. It’s a shame that Medicare requires me to waste her time when so many other people would really benefit from her attention.
Totally agree with your comment.
Medicare can be tricky. There is required and then recommended or suggested. I only comply with 90 day endo visit. Some clinics misleadingly say education is needed but certainly is not required. Unless a patient is non-compliant or incapable of managing T1. Then an office/clinic can recommend education.
Saw a CDE once I started insulin but haven’t since. That was 19 years ago!
I visit my Diabetes Doctor who is actually a PA four times a year only because Medical requires it for my pump supplies. Otherwise I would be happy with two times a year.
Three times this year. Once with specific questions re. low potassium restrictions because of CKD dx. and twice on an alternating basis with endo appointments to satisfy Medicare rules.
Virtual appointment in January, in-person visit w/PA in August. We do take advantage of My hart to request script refills in between visits.
My chart
Only one video appointment when I switched from Omnipod to Tandem last May.
#BeWell
No professional Accreditation but I like to share my Knowledge with my Endo at least 3 times a year. Having eliminated almost all hypos yet having a 5.4 A1c she enjoys my visit.
Answered “4 times”. But don’t really know what’s the difference between a CES and the nurse practitioner I see regularly.
Two appointments, an initial education appointment for a new insulin pump. The second for adjustments on insulin deliveries.
When I was on a pump Medicare requires a visit with Endo every three months. On MDI but still see him as I now have Graves’ disease also
Read that too quickly — should have said never
One with an rn (didn’t help with my question), and 2 with RD. The rd is also a sports nutrition person and has great knowledge re: fueling for sports/activity.
I answered zero. I see my endocrinologist 2-3 times per year and all issues are discussed then.
I am a RN, MSN, CDCES myself and when I need to see one, I consult one of my fellow RN, CDCES who also live with T1D themselves. So no formal appointments within the medical system with a CDCES fir “diabetes education”. However, the endocrine NP I see as a provider is a CDCES.
Only 1 , for a new pump.
I’ve had 3 total when first diagnosed 16 yrs ago. It wasn’t good. Then when hospitalized for kidney stone surgery they sent one in to my room, so captured. A very nice person, but knew very little about type 1 and pumps or CGM. It was a shame. She wrote down all my go to info places and a couple forums online. I do wonder how some get the job. This was Minneapolis/st Paul area, not remote area. And she wanted to know about the info. Just not part of her job requirement. 10 yrs ago, but I don’t have time for it. And of course I know there are good educators out there who are crucial to peoples care!
I see an endo 3x/yr but would like to see a CDCES to have a more indepth review of insulin and carb and TIR. They are not easy, insurance wise to get into.
Couldn’t afford to get there it takes a day to get there and a day to get back home
Nurse does education at Endocrinologist appointment
I haven’t seen a CDE-ES since I was diagnosed 36 years ago. My endocrinology FNP is trying to get me in with a special clinic in my area just for insulin pump patients; I’m hopeful about that.
Participated in a Diabetes Education online group through the Clemson University Coop Health Extension. It was great and it meant that we had weekly meetings over a few months, so more meetings than in a normal year.