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.