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On-Demand

Small Choices, Big Impact: The Behavioral Design of Diabetes

Vera Bartasavich, M.ED., NDTR, MCHES®
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Information

Recorded

  • -

Description

Diabetes management is driven by the daily decisions patients make, yet many healthcare professionals receive limited training in applying behavioral science to improve self-management, medication adherence, and long-term outcomes. This session explores why diabetes care is fundamentally behavioral and introduces practical, evidence-based strategies to address the barriers that influence lasting behavior change. Participants will learn how to assess readiness for change, recognize diabetes distress and burnout, and incorporate motivational interviewing, SMART goal setting, and the seven self-care behaviors into routine clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate between the behavioral aspects and clinical components of diabetes self-management.

  • Describe the role of daily patient behavior and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) in outcomes.

  • Apply at least two behavior-change theories (such as the Health Belief Model or Stages of Change) to assess patient readiness in clinical practice.

  • Utilize at least three evidence-based tools (including OARS motivational interviewing techniques and SMART goal setting) to address diabetes distress during a standard patient visit.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to enhance healthcare professionals' ability to integrate evidence-based behavioral strategies into diabetes care, improving patient engagement, self-management, and long-term clinical outcomes.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Vera Bartasavich, M.ED., NDTR, MCHES®
Vera Bartasavich, M.Ed., NDTR, MCHES®, is a Diabetes Educator at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio, where she supports adults living with diabetes through group and individual education focused on self-management and sustainable lifestyle improvement. She also operates a private practice, Health Education4U, LLC, offering personalized coaching for adults with prediabetes, diabetes, and general wellness goals. Vera earned a Master of Education in Health Education Promotion from Kent State University and a Master of Education in Nutrition Education from Framingham State University, alongside an Associate of Science in Dietetic Technology from Cuyahoga Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Hiram College. She holds active professional credentials as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) and a Nutrition Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR), as well as certifications in Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coaching and Adult Weight Management. With over 15 years of experience across clinical mentorship, higher education adjunct instruction at Baldwin Wallace University, and community health programming, Vera specializes in diabetes self-management, SMART goal setting, and practical nutrition education.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Aetna Better Health of Louisiana
  • Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana
  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections