Optional Module Information

People with Diabetes manage their condition 24/7, 365 days a year, of which a tiny fraction is spent sharing this management with a healthcare professional.  Supporting someone with diabetes to become a successful self manager of their disease is therefore critical to good outcomes, whether clinical, psychological or emotional.

What do we mean when we talk about self management? What skills are involved for healthcare professionals and people with diabetes?

This module has been designed to help you understand the philosophy and  psychological theories informing a range of interventions within the self management approach.  You will become familiar with key interventions supporting self management, such as group structured education, and have the opportunity to develop and practice new skills in a supportive environment.  The module involves a mix of lectures, workshops and directed study, facilitated by a team of experienced practitioners, through which you will gain a thorough grounding in the self management approach.

By the end of this module you will be able to: describe the pathophysiology of obesity; discuss the clinical, social and psychological implications of obesity; discuss and debate the screening strategies and management options for obesity; identify and appraise appropriate individualised management plans; identify and appraise the skills required for effective management of individuals with obesity; describe national and local initiatives  for obesity prevention and management; and discuss and debate the implications of obesity on the public agenda.

Current national trends in diabetes services require more care providers to be competent in this expanding aspect of care.  These skills are transferable to other injectable therapies in diabetes which is a growing therapeutic area.

This module aims to meet the needs of those who would like to advance their knowledge skills and competency in initiating and managing insulin therapy, and is grounded within a current evidence base.

The module is delivered over five taught days.  You will become aware and critically appraise the evidence base to support your clinical practice.  The module objectives are delivered with the focus on case studies to enable the evidence to be linked to your personal experiences and clinical practice .  The taught days consist of lectures from experienced clinicians, workshops and practical sessions, all based on shared learning through interaction led by a team of experienced and advanced practitioners.

 This module covers the clinical pathophysiology, presentation and management of common endocrine disorders. Learners will be able to critically appraise current research which supports clinical management in the areas of thyroid disease, diabetes, adrenal and pituitary disorders and other less common endocrine conditions.

Teaching will be based on formal presentations followed by extensive group case study discussions enabling learners to adapt a reflective approach to clinical practice supported by academic underpinning.

 Diabetes can lead to a range of complications including kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, blindness, nerve disease and amputation.  Up to 50% of people with diabetes have complications at the time of diagnosis.  There is an urgent need to develop effective methods of preventing diabetes and its devastating complications. 

This module provides an opportunity to learn from leading international experts in the field. Increasing rates of obesity and sedentary behaviour have resulted in a diabetes epedemic.  This interactive module highlights the key factors driving this epedemic.  Discussions will focus around the attributes of diabetes screening programmes and the current evidence for various diabetes prevention strategies.  This topical module  includes debates on the most effective methods of diabetes prevention, for instance, which is the best: changes in diet or increased physical activity?

Reports demonstrate that compared to the general inpatient population, people with diabetes in hospital are older, sicker, have more complex disease and stay longer.

This module aims to meet the needs of medical professionals, ward nurses, DSNs, podiatrists, dietitian, and Specialist Registrars with a particular interest in diabetes inpatient care. This module covers diabetic emergencies, their presentation and management, and broader aspects of managing inpatients with diabetes. Learners will be able to critically appraise current research and national directives which support the clinical management for diabetes in patient care.