Toward describing practice: the AADE National Diabetes Education Practice Survey: diabetes education in the United States--who, what, where, and how.

This article describes the first comprehensive survey of diabetes self-management education programs and practice in the United States. The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), through environmental scanning of members and the external health care environment, identified significant changes in the practice of diabetes education in 2004. In an effort to more completely understand the current state of practice, the association administered the National Diabetes Education Practice Survey (NPS) to the membership in 2005 and 2006. The survey was structured to elicit information about the structure, process, and outcomes of diabetes education practice from both program managers and diabetes educators. Through this baseline description of diabetes education practice and program design, opportunities were identified for broadening the patient referral base, enhancing cost-effectiveness and educator productivity activities, improving program access to all populations, developing innovative delivery methods, improving patient outcomes, and striving for sustainable funding sources. The association will continue to administer the survey annually and report on changes and trends in diabetes education programs and practice.