Table 3.

Key content areas of DSMES

Key content areas	Examples that focus on type 1 diabetes
Diabetes pathophysiology and treatment options	Immunology of beta cell destruction.
Healthy eating	Basic and advanced carbohydrate counting vs intuitive dosing. Impact of composition of meals (fat, protein, glycaemic index, fibre, sugar, alcohols) on glucose levels. Use of technology to enhance dosing recommendations.
Physical activity	Impact on glucose and insulin dose recommendations.
Medication usage	Types of available insulins. Methods of insulin delivery.
Monitoring and using patient-generated health data	Technology and its impact on the ability to have more frequent communication between the person with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare professional Reviewing CGM, pump and connected insulin pen downloads, and apps.
Preventing, detecting and treating acute complications (including hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and DKA), sick day guidelines, and severe weather or situation crisis and diabetes supplies management	Euglycaemic DKA. DKA prevention with pump use. Glucagon use. Ketone testing.
Preventing, detecting and treating chronic complications, including immunisations and preventive eye, foot, dental and renal examinations, as indicated per the individual participant’s duration of diabetes and health status	Understanding the individual risk for complications in type 1 diabetes. How to prevent development and progression of complications in the future.
Healthy coping with psychosocial issues and concerns	Discussing diabetes distress and burnout.
Problem solving	Goal setting. Developing personal strategies to promote health and behaviour change. Problem identification and solutions. Identifying and accessing resources. Sick day rules. Management of pump failure or pump holiday. Planning for procedures or surgery.