Guiding Principles

EDAN supports diabetes-related ECHO programs that are committed to promoting the following ABCDES principles:

  • A – Access

    People living with diabetes often lack access to specialty expertise, and complex diabetes management frequently occurs in primary care settings. EDAN works to expand specialty-level knowledge and mentorship to frontline clinicians—particularly in rural and medically underserved communities—to address unmet clinical needs and strengthen local capacity for high-quality care.

  • B – Beyond A1c

    Diabetes care extends beyond glycemic targets alone. EDAN promotes comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses cardiometabolic risk, kidney health, mental health, and overall well-being. We support clinicians in delivering evidence-based care that reduces stigma and therapeutic inertia while focusing on meaningful, whole-person outcomes.

  • C – Confidence

    Frontline primary care clinicians often report limited confidence in managing complex diabetes. EDAN builds communities of practice that enhance clinical knowledge, peer learning, and specialist mentorship—strengthening clinician confidence and sustainable local capacity.

  • D – Delivery

    EDAN supports data-informed quality improvement and practice transformation to strengthen diabetes care delivery and improve outcomes in rural and medically underserved communities..

  • E – Education

    Every person living with diabetes deserves individualized, evidence-based care and access to high-quality diabetes education. EDAN strengthens workforce education through structured learning collaboratives, case-based mentorship, and ongoing professional development.

  • S – Systems

    Persistent gaps in diabetes outcomes cannot be attributed solely to individual “non-compliance.” behavior. We need to look at the system of delivery of healthcare for people living with diabetes and make transformational changes. Improving outcomes requires strengthening the systems that equip frontline clinicians with specialty access, coordination, and ongoing support. The ECHO model has an urgent role to play.