National Standards for Diabetes Patient Education Programs: Pilot Study Results and Implementation Plan

Abstract

National Standards for Diabetes Patient Education Programs and a plan to implement them have been developed and pilot tested by the diabetes community in a four-year process conducted under the auspices of the Na tional Diabetes Advisory Board. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibil ity of implementing a na tional quality assurance process for diabetes pa tient education programs. Evidence from the pilot study also suggested that a national quality assur ance plan will foster third-party reimbursement for ambulatory diabetes patient education. The National Coalition for Recognition has been established to conduct for mal review and recogni tion of programs seeking to meet the National Standards.