Diabetes Update 2026
- Continuing Education
Taught by leaders in the field of diabetes who are distinguished for their outstanding teaching, knowledge, and innovations in clinical care, this course is designed to equip clinicians to meet the challenges of treating patients with diabetes, providing practical, evidence-based approaches to optimize care.
- Live Online
This program uses state-of-the-art streaming technology to present sessions online in real time. Participants can attend from any location, and can interact with faculty via live chat.
Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and made available to participants for on-demand online viewing for 90 days after the end of the course.
All live streaming and recorded sessions are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and other relevant credits. (Note: Evaluations must be completed within 30 days in order to receive CME credit.)
$845
This is the full tuition. A $100 early registration discount is available through March 31, 2026.
Please view the table below.
Early Registration Deadline:
Continuing Education
Earn up to:
» 21.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
» 21.00 ABIM MOC points
» 21.00 ANCC contact hours
» 21.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits
» 21.00 ACPE CPE credit hours
» Credits for Dietitians, Diabetes Educators, Risk Management, and Canadian and European clinicians also available
4 Days
This 4-day intensive program, which is among the highest-rated Harvard Medical School CME courses, updates busy clinicians on current best practices in treating patients with diabetes.
On This Page
Overview
The Harvard Medical School Diabetes Update
Diabetes Update is a live online course, using live streaming, electronic Q&A, and other remote learning technologies.
EDUCATION to MEET THE CHALLENGES of DIABETES CARE
At a time when our diabetes knowledge and treatment options have advanced so much, why do clinical outcomes remain suboptimal, with so many patients unable to achieve good control of their disease?
The answer is rooted in four challenges:
- Keeping pace with rapidly advancing clinical options for diabetes care:
- Therapies
- Technologies
- Lifestyle medicine interventions
- Designing comprehensive therapeutic interventions based on frequent diabetes-associated diseases and complications
- Accounting for a patient’s unique biological, psychological, social, financial, educational, and cultural factors
- Overcoming structural health care barriers that require clinical strategies to fit within a particular mold
This course is designed to equip clinicians to meet these challenges, providing practical, evidence-based approaches to optimize care for your patients.
STRATEGIES, UPDATES, and BEST PRACTICES for STATE-OF-THE-ART DIABETES CARE
This program affords you the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field of diabetes who are distinguished for their outstanding teaching, knowledge, and innovations in clinical care.
Participants can rely on this program for comprehensive education to ensure state-of-the-art treatment. Coverage includes:
- Designing more effective treatment plans
- Current anti-diabetes medications and how to use them
- Diagnosis and management of different types of diabetes
- Utilization of recent technology advances in diabetes care
- Optimizing care for people with obesity
- Assessing and treating cardiovascular and renal complications
- Guiding patients on physical activity and medical nutrition
- Management of hypertension and dyslipidemia
- Addressing low engagement in therapy
- Incorporating artificial intelligence in diabetes clinical practice
NEW DATA and PRACTICE GUIDELINES for DIABETES CARE
- The newest data on the identification of different types of diabetes
- The latest scientific information on how to reduce cardiovascular and renal disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes
- New guidelines and practice recommendations for nutrition and physical activity coupled with instruction to incorporate them into your current approaches to diabetes care
- Criteria to navigate the controversial data related to some anti-diabetes medications
- Medical vs. surgical management of obesity
- New technologies in diabetes care: updates and implications for day-to-day care
- Research breakthroughs
- Tips and tricks for navigating barriers within health care systems
ASSESSMENT and TREATMENT of COMPLICATIONS from DIABETES
The 2026 program provides education to assess and treat:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Renal Disease
- Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
- Obesity as it relates to Cancer and Arthritis
OPTIMIZING HEALTH OUTCOMES for DIVERSE PATIENT POPULATIONS
This program also provides comprehensive guidance to account for biological, psychological, emotional, social, financial, and cultural factors that impact the development and progression of diabetes.
Coverage includes:
- Racial and ethnic minorities
- The elderly
- People with obesity
- Patients at high cardiovascular risk
- Individuals with low engagement in therapy
- Patients at low socio-economic levels
- Subjects with low health literacy/education
- Individuals with depression/emotional distress
- Patients with metabolic liver disease
PRACTICE IMPACT
Over four days, you will gain new, encompassing, evidence-based approaches to address the challenges seen in most clinical practices. More importantly, you will leave with knowledge—part art, part science—to make a real difference in the lives of your patients.
In addition to being live streamed, all sessions will be recorded and placed in the online course library, enabling registrants to view them at their convenience. Recordings will be available for viewing for 90 days after the conclusion of the course. All live streaming and recorded sessions are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and other relevant credits. (Note: Evaluations must be completed within 30 days in order to receive CME credit.)
Who Should Participate
- PHYSICIANS, NPs, PAs, RNs, PHARMACISTS in the fields of:
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Hospital Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Obesity Medicine
- DIABETES EDUCATORS
- DIETITIANS
...and other medical professionals interested in clinical strategies and comprehensive updates for state-of-the-art diabetes care
Schedule
This program is among the highest-rated Harvard Medical School CME courses.
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Please note that program changes/substitutions may be made without notice.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Welcome and Introduction
Dr. A. Enrique Caballero
9:00-9:15 am
Type 1 Diabetes: What Is New?
Screening, Diagnosis, and Staging of the Disease
9:15-9:40 am
Prevention and Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes: An Update
9:40-10:05 am
Panel Discussion and Practical Recommendations
10:05-10:45 am
Break
10:45-11:00
Lifestyle Modification in Diabetes, Obesity, and Related Disorders
What Do I Tell My Patient to Eat?
11:00-11:25 am
Get the Patient Moving! Exercise Recommendations
11:25-11:50 am
Panel Discussion and Practical Recommendations
11:50 am-12:30 pm
Break
12:30-1:20 pm
Incorporating Technological Advances in Diabetes Care
Continuous Glucose Monitoring: For Everyone with Diabetes?
1:20-1:45 pm
Is There a Role in for People with Prediabetes or Normal Glucose Levels?
1:45-2:10 pm
Panel Discussion and Practical Recommendations
2:10-2:50 pm
Break
Special Lecture
The Past, Present, and Future of Diabetes Care
3:00-3:45 pm
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Welcome, Recap, and Introduction to Day 2
9:00-9:10 am
Obesity as the Focus for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes and Related Disorders
Understanding Overweight and Obesity as a Disease
9:10-9:40 am
Obesity and Cancer: Are They Truly Related?
9:40-10:10 am
Obesity and Arthritis: Is It Just More Weight on the Joints?
10:10-10:50 am
Break
10:50-11:05 am
The Emotional and Psychological Impact of Obesity
11:05-11:35 am
Panel Discussion and Practical Recommendations
11:35 am-12:15 pm
Break
12:15-1:05 pm
Prevention and Treatment of Obesity: A Hot Debate
Pharmacological Management of Obesity
1:05-1:45 pm
Surgical Management of Obesity
1:45-2:30 pm
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
2:30-3:00 pm
Special Lecture
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A 2026 Vision
3:00-3:45 pm
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Welcome, Recap of Day 2 and Introduction to Day 3
9:00-9:10 am
Cardiovascular Disease in the Patient with Diabetes
Evaluating Cardiovascular Risk: The Role of CRP, Lp(a), Apo B and Calcium Scores
9:10-9:40 am
Evaluation and Management of Congestive Heart Failure
9:40-10:10 am
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
10:10-10:45 am
Break
10:45-11:00 am
Hypertension and Dyslipidemia Management in the Patient with Diabetes
Hypertension: Evaluation, Goals, and Current Treatment Recommendations
11:00-11:25 am
Dyslipidemia: Targets and Management Guidelines
11:25-11:50 am
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
11:50 am-12:30 pm
Break
12:30-1:20 pm
Chronic Kidney Disease in Diabetes and Metabolic Care
The Need to Thoroughly Evaluate Kidney Function: Why and How?
1:20-1:50 pm
Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease: What Do the Guidelines Say?
1:50-2:20 pm
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
2:20-2:50 pm
Break
2:50-3:00 pm
Special Lecture
Artificial Intelligence in Diabetes Care: Fact or Fiction?
3:00-3:45 pm
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Welcome, Recap of Day 3, and Introduction to Day 4
9:00-9:10 am
Improving Diabetes Care in the Trenches
What We All Can Do to Improve the Lives of Everyone with the Disease
Opportunities to Improve Diabetes Care in Your Community
9:10-9:40 am
Question and Answer Session
9:40-10:10 am
Pharmacological Management of Diabetes: Traditional Medications
Traditional Medications (Biguanides, SUs, TZDs, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors)
10:10-10:40 am
Break
10:40-10:55 am
Insulin Therapy in the Patient with Diabetes
10:55-11:25 am
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
11:25 am-12:00 pm
Break
12:00-1:00 pm
Pharmacological Management of Type 2 Diabetes: SGLT-2 Inhibitors and GLP-1-Based Therapies
Perspectives from Different Medical Specialties
SGLT-2 Inhibitors: An Update from a Cardiologist's Perspective
1:00-1:35 pm
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: An Update from an Obesity/Diabetes Perspective
1:35-2:10 pm
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists: An Update from a Nephrologist's Perspective
2:10-2:45 pm
Q and A and Practical Recommendations
2:45-3:00 pm
Closing Remarks
3:30-3:40 pm
Optimized for Distance Learning
The 2026 program has been enhanced for distance learning. In addition to being live streamed, all sessions will be recorded and made available to participants for online viewing for 90 days after the end of the course. This on-demand archive will permit those in different time zones or who have scheduling conflicts to avoid missing out on any sessions that are important to them. In addition, participants can review sessions to reinforce key learning points.
Along with recordings and course presentations, additional resources such as guidelines, recent articles, and relevant patient education materials will also be available.
All live streaming and recorded sessions are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and other relevant credits. (Note: Evaluations must be completed within 30 days in order to receive CME credit.)
Treatment Plans
This program offers education to design state-of-the-art treatment plans that incorporate advances in pharmacology, technology, and lifestyle medicine.
Course Leadership
A. Enrique Caballero is Faculty Director of International Innovation Programs and Faculty Director of Diabetes Education in the Office for External Education at Harvard Medical School. In 2025, he became President of Medicine and Science for the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Caballero was recently named the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award from the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society's 2024 Outstanding Educator Award.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Design comprehensive diabetes care strategies that consider all factors that can influence care.
- Design comprehensive diabetes care strategies that consider all factors to support positive outcomes.
- Identify teaching strategies that have been successful in promoting diabetes self-management.
- Recognize and incorporate strategies that address the needs of special populations into a comprehensive diabetes care plan.
- Design comprehensive diabetes management plans that incorporate the most recent guidelines for the use of non-pharmacologic and pharmacological therapies
Faculty
Course Director
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Faculty Director, Diabetes Education, Office for External Education
- Director of International Innovation Programs, Office for External Education
- President of Medicine and Science, American Diabetes Association
2026 faculty list coming soon.
2026 faculty list coming soon.
Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
Fee Disclaimer
Registrations for Harvard Medical School CME programs are made via our secure online registration system. At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
Upon receipt of your paid registration, an email confirmation will be sent to you. Be sure to include an email address that you check frequently. Your email address is used for critical information, including registration confirmation, evaluation, and certificate.
Please review the cancellation policy.
Early Registration Deadline:
| Role | Course Fee | Early Registration Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| PA | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| Psychologist | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| Social Worker | $845.00 | $745.00 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $845.00 | $745.00 |
All registrants of Diabetes Update 2026 will receive an electronic syllabus.
All sessions will be recorded as they are live streamed and placed in the online course video library, so that registrants can review them at their convenience. The video library will be available for 90 days after the conclusion of the course.
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 21.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 21.00 ANCC contact hours, of which 4.25 is eligible for pharmacology credit.
Harvard Medical School has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 21.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Harvard Medical School designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum of 21.00 hours. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion. UAN JA0000216-0000-26-002-L01-P.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 21.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Completion of this RD/DTR profession-specific or IPCE activity awards CPEUs (One IPCE credit = One CPEU). If the activity is dietetics-related but not targeted to RDs or DTRs, CPEUs may be claimed which are commensurate with participation in contact hours (One 60 minute hour = 1 CPEU). RDs and DTRs are to select activity type 102 in their Activity Log. Sphere and Competency selection is at the learner’s discretion.
This activity meets the criteria of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine for 4.75 credits of Risk Management Study. This includes:
- 0.50 credits of End-of-Life Care Education
Please check your individual state licensing board requirements before claiming these credits.
Harvard Medical School is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and this activity is applicable to diabetes. Any diabetes educators who wish to use this activity towards their requirement for CDCES renewal of certification can self-report this activity to the CBDCE. If you are chosen for audit, the certificate provided to you after completion of the course evaluation will be sufficient for this audit.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.