National Survey Identifies Challenges and Opportunities in School-Based Diabetes Care

A comprehensive national survey involving over 580 school nurses and diabetes healthcare providers has shed light on significant barriers faced in implementing the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) within school environments. Although the DMMP is recognized as an essential tool for managing diabetes in children, respondents highlighted critical usability issues, particularly regarding its integration into clinical workflows and the lack of guidance tailored for modern diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery systems.

These insights have driven major revisions to the DMMP, aiming to better support school nurses by aligning the plan with current technological advancements and clinical practices. Led by the ADA’s Safe at School Working Group, the study emphasizes the urgent need to modernize school-based diabetes protocols to reflect real-world clinical applications effectively. Since school nurses are pivotal in coordinating diabetes care during school hours, an updated DMMP is expected to streamline communication between families, healthcare teams, and school staff, ultimately enhancing safety, promoting equity, and improving health outcomes for students with diabetes.

The updated plan also offers greater customization options for new devices, ensuring that care strategies keep pace with technological innovations. Moreover, the revision aims to make diabetes management more practical and accessible within the school setting, addressing gaps that previously hindered effective care. This initiative supports the broader goal of fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for students managing diabetes during school hours and beyond.

The findings and revised protocols are published in The Journal of School Nursing and can be accessed via this link. The new DMMP is now openly accessible on the ADA Safe at School website, providing vital resources for school nurses and educators dedicated to improving diabetes care in schools.

For more details, visit the original source at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-national-survey-reveals-key-barriers.html.