Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support

What is Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)?

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs assist participants in developing the knowledge and skills needed to manage diabetes effectively and make informed decisions. DSMES helps to improve blood glucose control, reduce diabetes complications and improve overall health.  Through DSMES programs, participants will learn the knowledge and skills they need to keep their diabetes under control. 

 

DSMES Program Learning Structure

The participant will work with a diabetes care and education specialist who will help create a self-management behavior plan based on these 7 key self-care behaviors:

  • Healthy eating: Making healthy food choices and portion sizes.
  • Being active: Engaging in  regular physical activity is important for overall fitness, weight management, and blood glucose control.
  • Monitoring blood glucose levels: Checking  blood glucose levels can assist the individual with adjustments needed to better control their diabetes and lower the risk of complications.
  • Problem solving to find solutions and take action: Finding ways to adjust your everyday habits, such as what you eat or how active you are, is an important part of keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
  • Taking medications as prescribed: Effective drug therapy and taking medications correctly can reduce the risk of developing complications as well as elevated blood glucose levels.
  • Healthy coping with diabetes and emotional well-being: Coping with diabetes is sometimes difficult and can make self-management harder for the individual.
  • Reducing risks of developing complications: Risk reduction behavior such as regular eye, foot, and dental examinations, monitoring blood glucose,  and smoking cessation can reduce the risk of complication development.

Developing these 7 self-care behaviors empower the participants to better manage their diabetes. During the education course the participants are taught how to problem solve, make informed decisions, and reinforce self-care. After the course is completed, participants will be able to play an active role in the management of this disease.  

 

Find a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program

For a list of American Diabetes Association (ADA) Recognized Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Programs, visit ADA Recognized Programs.

For a list of Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) Accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Programs, visit ADCES Accredited Programs. 

 

Last reviewed 12/3/2025