An Effective Model of Diabetes Care and Education: Revising the AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors^®

Technology and advances in science and management continue to shape diabetes, prediabetes and cardiometabolic care. The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists evaluated the AADE7, to update the behaviors in the context of a shifting digital and dynamic healthcare landscape.

Key points addressed in this paper:

1. Based on additional research and practice, diabetes self-management education and support has evolved beyond knowledge and behavior change to focus on quality of life and person-centered approach to management, education and care.
2. Diabetes care and education specialists can provide the element of human touch to identify appropriate candidates and tools, provide training, and facilitate the ongoing use of technology and the information they offer.
3. The AADE7 Self-Care behaviors overlap in nature, specifically the knowledge and skills to master them, the barriers associated with their mastery, and associated outcomes.
4. Because healthy coping must begin before learning can occur, this behavior is centrally located at the core of the updated image representing the AADE7 self-care behaviors to symbolize its significance in sustainable diabetes self-management.
5. The AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors provides a practical model that informs decision making among individuals living with diabetes and related conditions and the members of their healthcare team in their shared drive for improved health and quality of life.