The Diabetes Education Arena: Results of the 2025 ADCES National Practice Survey of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists

Abstract

Purpose:

This article reports the results of the 2025 National Practice Survey (NPS), documenting professional engagement in the diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) specialty, conducted by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES).

Methods:

The quantitative NPS survey was administered online using email addresses compiled from ADCES and Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education. Data were collected over a 4-week period in 2025. Descriptive and correlative statistics were used to identify relationships between variables and are discussed in the context of existing literature and previous NPS surveys.

Results:

The responses from the 2479 respondents to this NPS find those serving as DCESs to be a diverse group of professionals, working within the context of both an expanding diabetes care team and population with diabetes. While serving disparate populations, they appear, as a group, to actively seek out training opportunities to further their understanding of those they work with and professional credentialing and other educational advancement. DCESs appear to have an expanded role in patient care and increased responsibility in providing colleagues and people with diabetes with guidance on diabetes-related technology.

Conclusions:

Given the advances in the care and treatment of diabetes, DCESs are an important conduit for patient-centered care. Understanding the current practice of the DCES provides insights to address the evolving needs of diabetes prevention, diabetes and cardiometabolic syndrome care, treatment, and education with a workforce prepared to integrate technology and best practices for people living with diabetes.