Abstract

PURPOSE

Depression is a significant comorbid condition prevalent in people with diabetes and adversely affects health outcomes. The combination of diabetes and depression may account for at least some persons seeming inability to effectively self-manage their diabetes and achieve optimal outcomes. This paper provides a description of tools used in screening for depression and how they can be incorporated within diabetes self-management education (DSME) and ongoing diabetes self-management support (DSMS).

CONCLUSION

Diabetes educators are in a key position to address depression in adults with diabetes, and can help ensure that patients are being screened for depression, referred to appropriate treatment for their depression and receiving quality care for both diseases, including DSME that addresses barriers to self-care.