What the 2025 ADCES National Practice Survey Says About You and the Future of Diabetes Care & Education Practice
Feb 10, 2026, 15:43 PM
The role of the diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) continues to expand—and the 2025 National Practice Survey (NPS) confirms what many of you experience every day: your expertise is more essential than ever.
DSMES Remains the Foundation – But Your Role Has Grown
The survey shows that many of you are doing far more than education alone. Compared with 2021, significantly more DCESs report providing or independently influencing:
- CGM and insulin pump initiation and training
- Medication management and insulin titration
- Depression screening and behavioral health support
- Kidney disease screening, foot exams, and obesity care
More than half of respondents still spend the majority of their time delivering DSMES, reinforcing its critical role, but they are increasingly embedded across the full spectrum of diabetes care.
You Are the Go-To Experts for Diabetes Technology
As diabetes technology continues to evolve, DCESs are being recognized as trusted experts. Nearly 80% of respondents said their clinical and technology-related expertise is more in demand than in the past.
Artificial intelligence (AI) generated mixed responses. While some DCESs see potential benefit, such as improved data analysis and treatment planning, others raised concerns about over-reliance on automation, loss of clinical judgment and patient privacy. These findings point to a clear opportunity for education and support which ADCES will continue to focus on.
High Job Satisfaction – With Real Challenges
Despite increasing responsibilities, job satisfaction remains high, with nearly 9 in 10 DCESs reporting they are satisfied in their roles. Many plan to remain in their current positions, reflecting a strong commitment to the specialty.
At the same time, challenges persist. Time constraints, work-life balance, and keeping up with rapid advancements, particularly in technology, were the most reported difficulties. Addressing burnout and supporting sustainable practice will be critical as demand for your services continues to grow.
Advancing Equity and Whole-Person CareDCESs prioritize culturally responsive care and the assessment of social determinants of health. Most respondents reported evaluating factors such as access to healthy food, safe places for physical activity, and affordable health care—underscoring your role in addressing health inequities and supporting person-centered care.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 NPS highlights a workforce that is experienced, adaptable and engaged in meaningful work. At the same time, it points to important opportunities such as welcoming early-career professionals, strengthening workforce diversity, both of which have been a recent focus of ADCES, and preparing DCESs for continued advances in technology. Speaking of, if you haven’t been to danatech yet, our all-things-diabetes-technology website, you should: www.danatech.org.
The bottom line: Your work sits at the intersection of education, clinical care and innovation. As diabetes care evolves, your impact will only continue to grow!
Read the 2025 NPS in full since this summary only scratches the surface