How a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) can help you

Diagnosed with diabetes in Australia: What is a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)?

Has your doctor diagnosed you with diabetes? Or do you have high blood glucose levels (sometimes called ‘high blood sugar’)? Whether you are at the beginning of your diabetes journey or have been living with diabetes for a while, a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) will teach you how to manage your diabetes. They will help you understand what to do so that you can feel your best. 

What can a Credentialled Diabetes Educator do for me? 

Your Credentialled Diabetes Educator provides individual care and support 

Diabetes is different for everyone. For example, someone living with type 1 diabetes has different needs than someone living with type 2 diabetes. A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) provides individualised care for every client they support. They use the latest information and give advice that suits your individual circumstances, including your lifestyle and culture. Together, you and your CDE will work out a personalised plan for your diabetes care and management. 

In short, a CDE supports you in managing your diabetes confidently, in a way that meets your personal needs. They will help you live your healthiest life. 

Where do I find a Credentialled Diabetes Educator?

Credentialled Diabetes Educators work in a range of health settings including hospitals, community health, and private practices. Find a CDE here.

Is every diabetes educator a Credentialled Diabetes Educator? 

No. Only diabetes educators who are certified by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) are Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs). 

If a health professional is a CDE, you can be sure that they are experts in diabetes care and education. To achieve this title, they have to be a qualified health professional and complete a Graduate Certificate in diabetes education and management. They also have to achieve at least 1000 hours of practice. Additionally, they have to go through a six-month mentoring program. To maintain their certification, CDEs must also undertake yearly training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. 

Medicare Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and some private health insurers recognise CDEs as the providers of diabetes education.  

Should I see a Credentialled Diabetes Educator? 

Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) help people living with diabetes as well as people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. They also support carers and guardians of people living with diabetes. For example, they may support both a child living with diabetes as well as the child’s parents. 

People who should see a CDE may be:

Meet your diabetes care team 

Your CDE is an essential part of your diabetes care team. In addition, this team should include your general practitioner (GP). Your team may also include other health professionals. 

For instance, some people living with diabetes need to see a podiatrist regularly to ensure their feet stay healthy. You may also need the support of a dietitian who can teach you how to eat to manage your diabetes and stay as healthy as possible. If you need medications to treat your diabetes, then a pharmacist should be a part of your care team. 

Diabetes Care Pathways: Download your pathway PDF now

Download your Diabetes Care Pathway

Everybody’s diabetes is different, and so is their diabetes care team. To learn who should be part of your team, have a look at the Diabetes Care Pathways. Your Diabetes Care Pathway is like a map that guides you through your diabetes journey. It helps you understand which health professional you should see when and how often. You can take your Pathway with you the next time you see your doctor. They will help you understand the next steps you should take. 

Help others understand how a CDE can support them

Would you like to support someone living with diabetes in understanding how a Credentialled Diabetes Educator can help them, and where they can find one? Download and share our flyers and posters with them:

How a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) can help you

Diagnosed with diabetes in Australia: What is a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)?

Has your doctor diagnosed you with diabetes? Or do you have high blood glucose levels (sometimes called ‘high blood sugar’)? Whether you are at the beginning of your diabetes journey or have been living with diabetes for a while, a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) will teach you how to manage your diabetes. They will help you understand what to do so that you can feel your best. 

What can a Credentialled Diabetes Educator do for me? 

  • Your Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) will teach you about diabetes. 
  • They will help you monitor and manage your blood glucose levels. 
  • Your CDE will also advise and support you to make lifestyle changes. 
  • They will inform you about other health problems you may be at risk of because of your diabetes. Most importantly, your CDE will talk to you about how you can prevent these problems. 
  • Additionally, your CDE will tell you how to use medications, including insulin therapy. For example, they can show you how and when to inject insulin. 
  • Your CDE will encourage other members of your diabetes health care team to work together closely. This team includes your general practitioner (GP) as well as other health professionals. For example, your diabetes health care team may include an endocrinologist or a physiotherapist. It may also include a dietitian or an exercise physiologist.  Or you may need the support of a podiatrist. 
  • In addition, your CDE will help you access subsidised products and services you may need to manage your diabetes through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) 
  • Above all, your CDE will help you set and work with you to reach your health goals. 

Your Credentialled Diabetes Educator provides individual care and support 

Diabetes is different for everyone. For example, someone living with type 1 diabetes has different needs than someone living with type 2 diabetes. A Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) provides individualised care for every client they support. They use the latest information and give advice that suits your individual circumstances, including your lifestyle and culture. Together, you and your CDE will work out a personalised plan for your diabetes care and management. 

In short, a CDE supports you in managing your diabetes confidently, in a way that meets your personal needs. They will help you live your healthiest life. 

Where do I find a Credentialled Diabetes Educator?

Credentialled Diabetes Educators work in a range of health settings including hospitals, community health, and private practices. Find a CDE here.

Is every diabetes educator a Credentialled Diabetes Educator? 

No. Only diabetes educators who are certified by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) are Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs). 

If a health professional is a CDE, you can be sure that they are experts in diabetes care and education. To achieve this title, they have to be a qualified health professional and complete a Graduate Certificate in diabetes education and management. They also have to achieve at least 1000 hours of practice. Additionally, they have to go through a six-month mentoring program. To maintain their certification, CDEs must also undertake yearly training to ensure their knowledge is up to date. 

Medicare Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and some private health insurers recognise CDEs as the providers of diabetes education.  

Should I see a Credentialled Diabetes Educator? 

Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) help people living with diabetes as well as people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. They also support carers and guardians of people living with diabetes. For example, they may support both a child living with diabetes as well as the child’s parents. 

People who should see a CDE may be:

  • people living with type 1 diabetes 
  • people living with type 2 diabetes 
  • people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or have high blood glucose (or high blood sugar) 
  • children living with type 1 diabetes and their carers or guardians  
  • children living with type 2 diabetes and their carers or guardians 
  • people living with gestational diabetes during and after a pregnancy 
  • people living with type 1 diabetes who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or have recently been pregnant 
  •  people living with an intellectual disability and type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and their carers or guardians 

Meet your diabetes care team 

Your CDE is an essential part of your diabetes care team. In addition, this team should include your general practitioner (GP). Your team may also include other health professionals. 

For instance, some people living with diabetes need to see a podiatrist regularly to ensure their feet stay healthy. You may also need the support of a dietitian who can teach you how to eat to manage your diabetes and stay as healthy as possible. If you need medications to treat your diabetes, then a pharmacist should be a part of your care team. 

Diabetes Care Pathways: Download your pathway PDF now

Download your Diabetes Care Pathway

Everybody’s diabetes is different, and so is their diabetes care team. To learn who should be part of your team, have a look at the Diabetes Care Pathways. Your Diabetes Care Pathway is like a map that guides you through your diabetes journey. It helps you understand which health professional you should see when and how often. You can take your Pathway with you the next time you see your doctor. They will help you understand the next steps you should take. 

Help others understand how a CDE can support them

Would you like to support someone living with diabetes in understanding how a Credentialled Diabetes Educator can help them, and where they can find one? Download and share our flyers and posters with them: