Professional Competencies for Diabetes Technology Use in the Care Setting.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
• Health Informatics
• Medical Education

Background:

• Diabetes technology is advancing rapidly, creating challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in providing adequate support.
• Effective diabetes management now requires HCPs to stay updated on evolving treatment goals and practice guidelines.
• Diabetes care and education specialists (DCESs) are crucial in bridging the gap between complex diabetes technology and patient self-management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a comprehensive set of role-based competencies for HCPs, DCESs, and staff.
• To guide the selection, implementation, and sustainability of diabetes technology in clinical practice.
• To enhance the education and support provided to care team members utilizing diabetes technology.

Main Methods:

• The article proposes a framework of competencies tailored to different roles within the healthcare team.
• It emphasizes a collaborative approach involving various care team members and support staff.
• Competencies cover aspects from prior authorizations and patient onboarding to data interpretation and ongoing support.

Main Results:

• Identifies essential diabetes technology competencies for all levels of the care team and support staff.
• Provides a structured approach to address the complexities of managing patients using diabetes technology.
• Aims to ensure comprehensive diabetes management and support in diverse care settings.

Conclusions:

• Defined role-based competencies are vital for the successful integration and sustained use of diabetes technology.
• These competencies empower HCPs and DCESs to effectively manage technology-enabled diabetes care.
• The proposed framework supports the optimal use of diabetes technology for persons with diabetes (PWD) in their self-care regimen.