Diabetes patient materials

Diabetes patient education materials abound and are available from the federal government, consumer organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, institutes, employers, health plans, pharmaceutical companies and others. Many resources can be found on the Internet, and you can direct patients to read them online or provide printed materials during office visits.

The following online materials may be helpful to your patients. It is noted when a resource is available in Spanish.

Diabetes Prevention
	Your Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes — For patients who are at risk for developing diabetes, this brochure from the National Diabetes Education Program of the NIH provides education, guidance and goal-setting tools to delay or avoid the onset of diabetes.

Glycemic Control
	Know and Follow Your Signals — In both English and Spanish — This patient handout developed by the TMF Health Quality Institute tells diabetic patients what their blood sugar number means and if they need to take action.
	Hypoglygemia — Symptoms and how to prevent it (American Diabeties Association - ADA).

Goal Setting
	Diabetes Management Plan (interactive PDF) — A tool developed by Merck for creating a management plan for diabetes patients.

Heart Disease and Stroke
	Stroke — Patient-oriented information from the American Diabetes Association on increased risk of stroke with diabetes and what patients can do about it.
	High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) — Patient-oriented information from the American Diabetes Association on controlling high blood pressure, including medications available if needed.
	High Cholesterol — Patient-oriented information from the American Diabetes Association on controlling high cholesterol.

Medication Adherence
	Adherence Estimator — Patient survey and interpretive tools developed and tested by Merck to identify patients at risk for low medication adherence. Pinpoints obstacles and provides discussion tools to motivate patients to adhere to prescribed therapies.

In Office Discussion and Record Keeping Tools for Patients
	Help for Texas Patients with Diabetes — The brochure includes: basic information about diabetes, diabetes control and insulin; questions patients should ask their doctors; a place to record patient goals; and a chart for patients to record medication information. Developed for the Texas Business Group on Health by sanofi aventis.
	Care for Your Body Today for a Healthier Tomorrow — A discussion tool for health care professionals to use with diabetes patients. Published by Merck, this brochure explains diabetes, related health problems, and how to recognize warning signs and prevent other health problems from happening.
	Depression Education Tearsheet — A patient information sheet on how depression is related to and can affect diabetes; published by Merck in English and Spanish.

Nutrition
	Carb Counting — American Diabetes Association link to information about carb counting.
	Meal Planning — A tool from the ADA to help patients find a method that works for them. Includes carbohydrate counting, diabetes food pyramid and glycemic index.
	Snack tips — Simple suggestions for healthy snacking (article from Reader's Digest.com).

Spanish Language Resources
	Spanish-language resources through the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH.