CDEs work closely with people with diabetes to:

• listen to and understand their priorities, health literacy and needs,
• tailor education and clinical advice to their situation, their culture and where they are on their diabetes journey,
• provide in-depth knowledge across all key areas of diabetes care and management,
• recommend other specialists and allied health professionals (such as dietician and exercise physiologists) where needed.

Both an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)and a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) are registered health professionals that require a university degree. Both can be very beneficial in assisting you with the management of your diabetes, and they often work collaboratively in doing this.

Generally, an APD will focus on helping you determine the appropriate dietary/nutritional choices and intake to aid in the treatment and management of your diabetes. This can include assisting with weight loss and management.

CDEs look at the broader treatment and management of diabetes, with a focus on working with the patient to learn ways to self-manage their condition based on their individual circumstances. Amongst other services, they can assist with dietary choices, weight loss, blood glucose monitoring, reducing the risk of and managing complications of diabetes, medication management, and managing insulin regimes including education on dose titration and administration.

A diabetes educator (DE) is a medical professional with a health profession university degree and practising experience, who has then undertaken further post-graduate studies to become a DE. A CDE has undertaken even further study and practice commitments to become ‘Credentialled’. Some CDEs have the primary profession of an APD. Some CDE’s at Ramsay Health Plus have the primary professional discipline of Clinical Nurse Specialist, which means they have additional experience in other areas of diabetes management and general nursing.

A CDE is a health professional with specialist knowledge and expertise in the field of diabetes, which is vital for educating people to successfully self-manage their diabetes.

Complementing the clinical and health care support provided by GPs, CDEs provide specialised holistic expertise in diabetes care and management, which is tailored to the person’s individual situation.

A referral is not required to be able to see a CDE. There are a few exceptions to this, where you will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending our clinic. This includes:

• Workers Compensation Claims
• CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Claims
• Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral). This is highly recommended for all patients with diabetes. Please discuss this option with your GP prior to booking to see a CDE at Ramsay Health Plus.

It is helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing a CDE to your appointment.