Empowering Diabetes Self-Management: Motivation and Communication

Module Description

This two-part module is designed to empower health care professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate effective diabetes self-management in their patients. Divided into two parts, the module covers Motivation and Behavior Change in Diabetes Management and Effective Communication.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

Identify the key emotional aspects of the diabetes diagnosis and its impact on engagement in diabetes self-management behaviors.
Recall evidence-based strategies for empowering individuals to make effective behavioral changes in diabetes management.
Identify effective communication strategies tailored to patients with varying educational backgrounds.

Module Faculty

Effective Communication and Patient-Centered Education

Chlodys E. Johnstone, PA-C, CDCES, MLDE, MAT

Chlodys Johnstone is a Physician Assistant and Certified Diabetes Education Specialist who presently serves as the Associate Director of Education and Quality Services at UK HealthCare (UKHC) Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (BBDC). In this role, she combines her passion for clinical care and education to improve the lives of people with diabetes. In previous roles at UKHC, she has acted as supervisor of the Endocrine Division's advanced practice providers (APPs) and co-chair of the APP Council. Along with patient services, she focuses on clinician education through precepting students and guest lecturing.

Motivation and Behavior Change in Diabetes Management

Susan Guzman, PhD

Susan Guzman, PhD is a clinical psychologist specializing in diabetes. Dr. Guzman received her PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in health psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego in 1998. She specialized in diabetes following the completion of her post-doctoral fellowship at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego where she served as the psychological liaison to Scripps Health’s Diabetes Advisory Committee. Her clinical and research focus areas include overcoming barriers to effective management, healthcare professional/patient communication issues, challenging diabetes stigma and promoting language around diabetes that is respectful and helpful. In 2003, Dr. Guzman co-founded the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI), the first non-profit organization devoted to the emotional and behavioral aspects of living with diabetes. At BDI, she has served as the Director of Clinical/Educational Services developing and led programs for people with diabetes and their families. She developed and led many of BDI’s clinical programs, including “Defeating the Depression/Diabetes Connection.” She also held programs for women with type 1 diabetes, spouses/partners, men with diabetes, and other specialized psycho-educational programs for those with diabetes. Dr. Guzman integrates empathy, acceptance and practical guidance to help people better utilize their strengths in living life with diabetes.

Summary


Availability:	On-Demand
	Release on Jun 15, 2025 12:00 AM Central Daylight Time


Cost:	FREE


Credit Offered:	1 CME Credit 1 ABIM-MOC Point 1 ACPE Credit 1 ANCC Credit 1 AAPA Credit 1 CDR Credit 1 APA Credit 1 ASWB Credit 1 COP Credit 1 AAFP Credit

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