Planning and implementing an interdisciplinary diabetes workshop for healthcare professionals.

A diabetes education program for healthcare professionals evolved out of a series of discussions among healthcare providers. This group realized the importance and the necessity of developing a current knowledge base for themselves, their clients, and their clients' families. The target audiences for this program were physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians who could be eligible to work toward becoming a certified diabetes educator.

The need for a community diabetes education curriculum for healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals need valuable up-to-date information on diabetes management and skills to treat and educate patients with diabetes mellitus. The Diabetes Education for Healthcare Professionals program was developed to provide healthcare professionals with current diabetes management skills. It was also designed to increase the number of certified diabetes educators in the area in which it was delivered.