Development and Implementation of a Carbohydrate Counting Class at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Elizabeth Ramsaur, Camille Robinette, Dana Yelverton Salisbury VA Medical Center - Salisbury, NC
Background/Purpose: Diabetes management can be complex, often requiring pharmacologic therapy, lifestyle management, and self-monitoring. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is an important method for helping patients develop the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of their diabetes. The Salisbury VA Medical Center currently offers a two-hour basic diabetes education class to Veterans, covering multiple diabetes-related topics including basic information, medications, exercise, and nutrition. The purpose of this project is to address the need for more focused diabetes nutrition education, so that Veterans can develop the knowledge and skills necessary for carbohydrate counting and meal planning.
Methodology: Patients were eligible for participation in this quality improvement project if they attended a group diabetes education class during the previous year. Eligible patients received a letter describing the class and instructions for enrollment. The carbohydrate counting class will be conducted as a series of three group class sessions taught by a pharmacy resident with the assistance of a diabetes nurse educator and a clinical pharmacy specialist, who are both certified diabetes educators (CDEs). Class participants will be surveyed at the end of the class series to assess the program_x0019_s effectiveness in improving the participants_x0019_ knowledge and confidence.
Presentation Objective: Describe potential benefits of a carbohydrate counting class on the management of diabetes.
Self-Assessment: What are the potential benefits of a carbohydrate counting class?
