Intensive, telemedicine-based, self-management program for rural, underserved patients with diabetes mellitus: Re-entry of retired endocrinologists into practice.

Introduction: Endocrinology workforce data demonstrate a substantial gap in the number of practicing endocrinologists, a phenomenon particularly affecting patients with diabetes in rural, financially challenged, underserved areas. We evaluated the concept that retired endocrinologists could re-enter practice part time and utilize telemedicine in collaboration with personnel in Federally Qualified Community Health Center clinics to conduct an intensive self-management program and provide 6-month concurrent care for patients with diabetes.

Methods: The program involved intensive glucose control measures and education in diabetes, nutrition, and lifestyle changes over a 6-month period.

Cognitive training for early-stage Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

The purpose of this article is to critically review and synthesize the literature on the effects of nonpharmacological cognitive training on dementia symptoms in early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia. Electronic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched using the keywords cognition, reality orientation, Alzheimer's disease, psychosocial factors, cognitive therapy, brain plasticity, enriched environments, and memory training. The findings support that cognitive training improves cognition, activities of daily living, and decision making.