[gettingby]

This is probably gonna be a stupid question but here goes. How different is an endocrinologist from a CDE? My CDE feels that I should consult with an endo. I have been having alot of problems with morning lows and what we have been doing about them isn't working too well.
Cin

[Funnygrl]

A CDE is a certified diabetes educator. They are nurses with extra training. An endocrinologist is a doctor that specializes in hormome issues.

[Dewey]

An Endocrinologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases and conditions involving glands and hormones. An endocrinologist has completed medical school and has received specialty training in an area such as Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Obstetrics and Gynecology. Following this specialty training, he/she has completed at least two to three years of further training in the management and diagnosis of patients with endocrine diseases.
Among the many conditions and diseases that endocrinologists diagnose and treat are the following:

diabetes
thyroid conditions
metabolic disturbances
hormone imbalances
cancers that arise in glands
infertility
osteoporosis
disorders of cholesterol and lipid metabolism

A Certified Diabetes Educator is a health care professional with expertise in diabetes education, who has met eligibility requirements and successfully completed certification exams. A Diabetes Educator teaches people (with diabetes) how to manage their diabetes. (Diabetes educators) are found in hospitals, physician offices, managed care organizations, home health care, and other settings.

[buzzborne]

thanks for clearing that up... I have been wondering what they both were since I don't come from America...

[JasonSmithMT]

Originally posted by Funnygrl
A CDE is a certified diabetes educator. They are nurses with extra training. An endocrinologist is a doctor that specializes in hormome issues.

Just to clear things up a bit ... a CDE can be other health care professionals other than nurses. Here are the current eligibility requirements:

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Certification
To qualify for the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators, the following requirements must be met:

1. Professional Education

A. An active, unrestricted license from the United States or its territories as a registered nurse, occupational therapist, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician (M.D. or D.O.), physician assistant, podiatrist, or registration as a dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

OR

B. A minimum of a master's degree, from a United States college or university accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting body, in one of the following areas: nutrition, social work, clinical psychology, exercise physiology, health education, or specified areas of study in public health*.

2. Professional Practice Experience

Only experience occurring AFTER completing the Professional Education requirement may be counted toward the Professional Practice Experience requirement. Professional practice experience is defined as employment for compensation as a diabetes educator in health care settings in the United States or its territories. Employment for compensation means to hold a job in which one is actively engaged in diabetes self-management training and for which paid income is comparable to other diabetes educators in the same area or region of the country.

After meeting the Professional Education requirement and before applying for the Certification Examination, all (A through C) of the following requirements must be met:

A. A minimum of two years (to the day) of professional practice experience in diabetes self-management training in health care settings within the United States or its territories.*
AND

B. A minimum of 1,000 hours of diabetes self-management training experience within the past five years.*
AND

C. Current employment in a defined role as a diabetes educator a minimum of four hours per week, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

Reference: NCBDE: Eligibility Requirements

I'm not sure if there is another CDE board out there ... this seems to only apply to the United States. Maybe someone else knows about other countries.

Sadly people like me with a BHS degree in clinical laboratory sciences wouldn't be eligible for CDE under the current requirements although I remember a story of a medical technologist who does diabetes education professionally was trying to challenge this.

Jason

[Dewey]

Originally posted by JasonSmithMT
Sadly people like me with a BHS degree in clinical laboratory sciences wouldn't be eligible for CDE under the current requirements although I remember a story of a medical technologist who does diabetes education professionally was trying to challenge this.

I agree, Jason. They should widen the parameters a bit to include more medical professionals (such as yourself) in the list. Perhaps this will soon change.

[gettingby]

Thanks Jason. My CDE is a PA also.

[rzrbks]

gettingby

Thanks Jason. My CDE is a PA also.

Your CDE is a Father??? A Father father or a Priest Father?

Well, I guess that's OK.





Yes, I know what a Physician's Assistant is

[gettingby]

LOL rzr. I left myself wide open on that one. No harm.

[gettingby]

BTW, got an endo visit scheduled. Only problem is, it's not until Jan. 12, 2005. Go figure.

[rzrbks]

Yes, it's tough getting in to see them--part of the reason I don't, see them I mean.

The other part, I went once, paid $250.00 for 15 minute visit, Hoo, that's too rich for me.

[gettingby]

Sorry rzr. I have pretty decent insurance. I only have to pay them $40 since I have a referral. Might as well give it a try. I need some help.
Cin

[Dewey]

Originally posted by gettingby
BTW, got an endo visit scheduled. Only problem is, it's not until Jan. 12, 2005. Go figure.

As I always say, that's the medical community for ya...lol..hurry up and wait!

[Shalyndria]

Question Cin:

Will this be your first time ever seeing an Endo? Reason I ask is because it seems strange to me that you wouldn't have been referred to one before now, especially having gone through a diabetic pregnancy.

Shy

[gettingby]

Yeah Shy, this will be my first ever visit to an endo. It was never mentioned before and I'm starting to believe that's why I'm having so many problems with my control. Doctors, go figure.
Cin