Diabetes Prevention Program

A CDC-recognized, structured lifestyle change program—developed specifically to prevent type 2 diabetes. It is designed for people who have prediabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes, but who do not already have diabetes.

A trained lifestyle coach leads the program to help participants change certain aspects of their lifestyle, like eating healthier, reducing stress, and getting more physical activity. The program also includes group support from others who share the participants’ goals and struggles.

This lifestyle change program is not a fad diet or an exercise class. And it’s not a quick fix. It’s a year-long program focused on long-term changes and lasting results. There are sixteen, once weekly meetings followed by bi-monthly to monthly maintenance meetings for the remainder of the year.

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/prediabetes-type2/preventing.html

Goals of the PNWU-YVMH Partnership:

• expose medical students to the challenges faced by patients dealing with the diagnosis of pre-diabetes
• foster empathy in medical students as they interact with patients who have pre-diabetes
• learn and utilize skills in Motivational Interviewing and facilitating groups in order for medical students to learn more effective ways to educate patients on chronic illness (pre-diabetes) and how to encourage patient ownership in their own health and healthcare

PNWU-YVMH Partnership:

Students attend a 2-3 hour shortened training in order to learn how to co-facilitate DPP Classes. They attend 3 consecutive classes of the 16-once weekly DPP classes; students watch the first one, assist with the second, and facilitate the third class on their own with YVMH facilitator assistance.

Contact: Shannon Bolyard, Kelly Cammermeyer and Akash Sharma