Collecting and Tracking Outcomes for Behavior Change and Clinical Indicators for People with Diabetes

Objective: The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) has accepted the challenge of promoting diabetes educational and behavioral research to build and maintain a comprehensive body of knowledge about diabetes education. Assess whether there is a difference between the AADE7 data collected in other national data sets.

Methods: We examined data from the AADE7 System™, a robust online software system available to diabetes educators to:

• Collect and track patients' behavior change goals, clinical indicators, and medications for outcomes assessment and continuous quality improvement
• Administer online patient self-assessments and follow-ups
• Track information about the educational services provided
• Generate reports on individual patient progress and your facility's progress

National data for 2007-08 were aggregated and analyzed to monitor and track cholesterol, and A1C Levels for people with diabetes who receive diabetes self management education (DSME). Data were examined by age, race and diabetes type.

Results: Data are captured by type (T1, T2, pre-diabetes, gestational) as well as by race and age. The findings from AADE7 System data on A1C and cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL) are consistent with those from other national data sets.

Conclusion: Diabetes educators who use on line data collection tools (e.g., the AADE7 System) can help to build a repository of information that is essential to build the evidence for effective self-management of diabetes and the co-morbid conditions.