Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) & Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME)

Written by admin@pcpierce.com on March 24, 2011. Posted in Diabetes Education

Diabetes education, also known as diabetes self-management training (DSMT) or diabetes self-management education (DSME), is defined as a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions.


DSMT/DSME is an interactive, ongoing process involving the person with diabetes (or the caregiver or family) and a diabetes educator(s). The intervention aims to achieve optimal health status, better quality of life and reduce the need for costly health care.

Diabetes education focuses on seven self-care behaviors that are essential for improved health status and greater quality of life. The AADE7™ Self-Care Behaviors are:

  • Healthy eating
  • Being active
  • Monitoring
  • Taking medication
  • Problem solving
  • Healthy coping
  • Reducing risks

Diabetes education is most often provided by diabetes educators. Diabetes educators give people with diabetes the knowledge, skills and tools they need to successfully manage their diabetes and avoid many of the complications associated with the disease.