Monitoring in diabetes self-management: Issues and recommendations for improvement

The American Association of Diabetes Educators hosted a Monitoring Symposium during which 18 invited participants considered pre-set questions regarding how diabetes education can more effectively address barriers to monitoring for people with diabetes and related conditions. This report provides a summary of the moderated discussion and highlights the key points that apply to diabetes educators and other providers involved with diabetes care. The participating thought leaders reviewed findings from published literature and participated in a moderated discussion with the aim of providing practical advice for health care practitioners regarding monitoring for people with diabetes so that the overall health of this population can be enhanced. The discussants also defined monitoring for diabetes as including that done by the clinician or laboratory, as well as self-monitoring. The discussion was distilled into key points that apply to diabetes educators and other providers involved with diabetes care. Participants developed specific recommendations for a self-monitoring behavior and monitoring framework. People with diabetes benefit from instruction and guidance about self-monitoring and decision making that is based on monitored results and informed interactions with providers. Importantly, collaboration among the entire diabetes care community is needed to ensure that monitoring is performed and utilized to its fullest advantage. Going forward, it will be critical to mitigate barriers to diabetes self-management and training and to identify linkages and partnerships to address barriers to self-monitoring. (Population Health Management 2011;14:189-197)