Diabetes Education
The St. Lucie Medical Center Diabetes Self Management Education Program assists you in learning self-management skills to obtain control of your diabetes. It is designed for individuals who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes as well as for those who are having difficulty managing their diabetes.
What is Included in the Comprehensive Diabetes Self Management Education Program?
- One-hour Individual Assessment/Education
- 9 hours of Diabetes Self-Management Education Classes (Weekday and Saturday classes)
- 3-month Telephone Follow-up
- Annual 2-Hour Review Class
What will I Learn During the Education Classes?
- Understanding Diabetes
- Medication Instruction
- Nutritional Guidelines
- Meal Planning
- Activity Guidelines
- Traveling with Diabetes
- Goal Setting
- Self-Monitoring
- Behavior Modification
- Support Planning
- Problem Solving
- Acute Complication Management:
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Sick Day Rules
- Chronic Complication Management:
- Neuropathy
- Retinopathy
- Kidney
- Cardiac
Individual Education Sessions with Diabetes Nurse Educator and/or Dietician and Individualized Insulin Instruction are also available.
How do I become a patient?
You must have a referral from your physician to enroll in the Diabetes Self Management Education Program. This referral can be from your primary physician or a specialist who is caring for you. Please contact us at 772-398-3741 for more information and to schedule an appointment once you have a referral from your physician.
How should I prepare for my first visit to the Diabetes Education Program?
- When you call for an initial appointment you will be asked to provide insurance information so that we can pre-register you for the appointment, so have your health insurance card(s) available. Our office staff will be able to assist with any authorizations required for the initial and subsequent visits.
- Please prepare and bring the following with you to your first appointment:
- Make a list of all medications you are taking (including over-the-counter medications like aspirin and vitamins
- Make a list of any allergies you have, to medications and other things.
- Bring your health insurance card(s) and photo identification with you.
- You may bring snack food and medication with you.
- Arrive on time for your appointment.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) Recognized Program
Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.
St. Lucie Medical Center
Diabetes Education Program
Family Health Center Building
1700 SE Hillmoor Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Tel: (772) 398-3741