Patient Care and Education

Patient Care and Education: Diabetes Con Sabor LatinoThe Latino Diabetes Initiative offers patients a culturally appropriate clinic and education program staffed by a team of bilingual providers, including an endocrinologist, nurse educator, registered dietitian, eye doctor, social worker, medical assistant and case manager.  

Diabetes Education Classes

In addition to patient care, Joslin offers a series of five small group education courses entitled “Diabetes Today.” You can take all five classes in a single day, or spread out over several days or weeks—whatever works best for your schedule. All classes are offered in Spanish and pay special attention to unique cultural preferences, such as regional cuisine. Patients who participate in the "Diabetes Today" program are also eligible to attend additional nutrition classes. 

Primeros Pasos - First Steps

  • Introduces basic information about how diabetes is treated and monitored. The class explains common diabetes terms such as A1C and the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Symptoms and complications of diabetes are presented along with healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose goals. Taught by a physician.

¿Qué puedo comer? - What Can I Eat?

  • Covers basic nutrition information, including nutrition misconceptions and the impact of food on blood glucose levels. The importance of food portions and reading food labels is emphasized as participants learn easy ways to measure grams of carbohydrate, protein and fat. Special attention is given to regional cuisine and fruit/vegetable preferences. Taught by a nutritionist.

Monitoreando el azúcar — Monitoring Matters

  • Participants learn how to monitor blood glucose and manage results to improve diabetes control. Patients receive a meter if they need one. The course explores different approaches to treatment, as well as the the way different medications act in the body. Taught by nurse educator.

¿Cuánto debo comer? Balanceando el plato — Foods That Fit

  • Discusses meal-planning basics, including selecting and estimating accurate portion sizes. By learning how to count carbohydrates, participants learn how to eat a large variety of foods while still being healthy. Participants are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment with a dietitian to develop an individual meal plan. Taught by a nutritionist.

¿Cuáles medicamentos se usan para controlar la diabetes? — Diabetes Medications

  • Patients will learn about insulin and oral medications, including when to take them, how to store them, side effects and more. Participants should bring a list of the medications that they are currently taking with them to the class.

Follow-up Nutrition Classes

Once patients have attended both the ¿Qué puedo comer? — What Can I Eat? and the ¿Cuánto debo comer? Balanceando el plato — Foods That Fit classes, they are eligible to attend additional nutrition classes designed for patients with different health literacy levels focused on portion control and carbohydrate counting. 

The Plate Method

  • This class offers a hands-on experience for patients to learn easy ways to achieve portion control as part of their diabetes management. Patients will learn how to use the "plate method" to plan breakfast, lunch and dinner at home or dining out. The Plate Method will be offered once a month on Mondays from 1-2 p.m.        

Carbohydrate Counting for Beginners

  • Through carbohydrate counting, participants learn how to eat a large variety of foods while still being healthy. This session stresses the benefits of this approach by teaching patients how to identify carbohydrate-containing foods and how to modify a meal using carbohydrate counting. Carbohydrate Counting will be offered one Monday a month from 2-3 p.m.

Support Groups

New Stress Management Group 

This six-week group session is being offered for men and women who would like to learn more about stress management techniques. The group meets on Monday afternoons at 3:30 at Joslin Diabetes Center. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Teresa Rodriguez at (617) 732-2699 ext. 4601 to arrange for an interview.

Additional Programs at Joslin

For more Online Diabetes Education Resources, visit the Joslin Library by clicking here.