Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT)
What is the Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Program?
Diabetes Self-Management Training is an evidence-based standard of care program that incorporates the needs and goals of people with diabetes into a personalized plan that has proven to improve health outcomes.
DSMT Patient Journey
Step 1
Referral made by clinician.
![dsmt referral](/-/media/population-health/dsmt-referral.jpg?h=195&iar=0&w=220&hash=3D117C7135DDB029CD962446521BCC23)
Step 2
Schedule DSMT initial session (1-1 virtual or in person or group session) with Diabetes Educator.
![dsmt scheduling](/-/media/population-health/dsmt-scheduling.jpg?h=195&iar=0&w=220&hash=9F06DEF4FB13BA612BD003F832411D54)
Step 3
Attend Visit: 60-minute virtual or in-person 1-1 consultation or group session. Participants can switch to a different format (1-1, group, video, etc.) after the first visit.
![dsmt first visit](/-/media/population-health/dsmt-first-visit.jpg?h=195&iar=0&w=220&hash=015BE7A7F5C60E6F9897430145F0555D)
Step 4
Up to 10 hrs of education (individual or group) in the first year following the referral. Patients are eligible for up to 2 hrs of follow up education each year, indefinitely.
![dsmt education](/-/media/population-health/dsmt-education.jpg?h=195&iar=0&w=220&hash=EDC5BC77F9A03220894C8AAF39F06E7C)
![Gene Arnold](/-/media/population-health/gene-arnold-1.jpg?h=300&w=240&hash=04D6615FA14127F356B0D331E46062F3)
A Real Patient Story With Leon
By Eugene Arnold, M.S., RD/LD/CDE
This episode features Leon, who tells about his experiences as someone who has had diabetes for many years, and about his own diabetes self-management. Leon speaks with Eugene Arnold, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and the quality coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center’s Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Program.
For more information, please refer to The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes.
Criteria Overview
Program Element | Description |
Eligibility | Has type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes mellitus * Prediabetes is not covered |
Service Providers | Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist |
Care Delivery Method | In-person and telemedicine individual appointments, small group sessions (4-8 people) |
Curriculum Topics | Disease process, nutrition, physical activity, glucose monitoring, acute and chronic complication management, behavior change counseling |
Oversight | American Diabetes Association (ADA) |
*Note: People with prediabetes are not eligible and should be referred to our Diabetes Prevention Program
What are the benefits of DSMT?
DSMT can:
- Improve hemoglobin A1c levels
- Improve control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Improve medication adherence
- Decrease severe diabetes-related complications
- Increase healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as better nutrition, increased physical activity, and use of primary care and preventive services
- Enhance self-efficacy
- Decrease health care costs, including fewer hospital admissions and readmissions
Critical times to enroll in DSMT include:
- At diagnosis
- At least once per year
- When complicating factors arise (physical, financial, emotional)
- When transitions in care occur (new insurance, living situation)
What does DSMT offer?
Program topics covered include:
- Practical and relevant nutrition guidance
- Exercise and Type 1 diabetes
- Weight loss with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Medications to help manage Type 2 diabetes
- How to monitor, interpret and manage your glucose levels
- Continuous glucose monitoring services
- Insulin pump education and optimization
- Healthy coping skills
- Preventing and managing diabetes related complications
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