In Pennsylvania alone, nearly 872,000 adults have been diagnosed with diabetes as the rise of this pervasive chronic disease continues. Nationwide, nearly 26 million have diabetes, an estimated 79 million adults have pre-diabetes, and another 27 million have the disease but don’t know it.
As November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) offers this reminder of the many resources available on this manageable and often preventable disease.
Physician resources from PAMED
- Diabetes care recommendations and flow chart—Developed by PAMED and its Medical Directors Forum, this tool provides documentation for the review of treatment goals, screening, diagnosis, assessment and management of the diabetic patient. The flow sheet is based on the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and follows the ADA guidelines for every diabetic visit and annual exam.
- Counter Details: The Effects of Smoking on Type 2 Diabetes—This educational monograph was authored by experts in the field of endocrinology and tobacco cessation. After reading this CME publication, physicians should be able to identify the scope of the problem and the prevalence of tobacco use and diabetes complications; identify clinical complications experienced by patients with diabetes who use tobacco; employ the Ask, Advise, and Refer principles; and utilize resources available to assist patients who wish to quit using tobacco products.
Patient resources
DOH recently published “Diabetes in School Children: A Recommendations and Resource Guide for Pennsylvania School Personnel,” which provides schools with the information, tools, and resources they need to help them effectively manage diabetes in students.
The state Capitol is illuminated in blue lights during the month of November in support of diabetes awareness.