Effective Utilization of Self-Monitored Blood Glucose Data: Cognitive and Behavioral Prerequisites

Abstract

American Diabetes Association consensus statements have affirmed the crucial role of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in modern therapy for diabetes mellitus (1,2). The 1987 statement emphasized the use of SMBG data by health care providers for evaluating and modifying the treatment regimen, whereas the 1994 statement gave greater emphasis to patients’ use of SMBG data to guide day-to-day treatment adjustments. Among the key functions of SMBG identified in the 1994 consensus statement were that patients should learn to use SMBG for self-adjustment of diet, exercise and/or medication, identifying and properly treating hypoand hyperglycemia, and improving diabetes decision making and problem solving. The American Diabetes Association’s standards for patient education programs similarly include training in the use of SMBG data as a required content area, and its clinical practice recommendations also encourage this (3,4). As a result, the American Diabetes Association has sanctioned efforts to teach patients how to use SMBG data actively as part of a patient-centered diabetes self-management regimen.