Students will learn current and comprehensive practice applications of diabetes care and education for people with type 1 and 2 (both in children and adults). They will also be educated on prediabetes, and gestational diabetes from renowned experts and thought leaders. Students in the program will start with an illustrated review of pathophysiology and landmark studies in order to understand the evidence-based treatment modalities. Upon completion of the program, students will have improved skills in delivering effective, patient-centered diabetes education and care that focuses on strategies to promote wellness through behavior change and reduce barriers for vulnerable populations. Students will gain insights about the lived experience from people with diabetes. Student outcomes include the ability to explain pharmacological options to manage glucose, blood pressure and lipids. Students will also explore basic and advanced technologies used to decrease the burden of living with diabetes while also improving outcomes.
Foundations
After successful completion of the Foundations course, students will be able to explain how landmark trials drive practice in preventing possible complications via the “legacy effect.” This will demonstrate the impact this has on the person with diabetes through care delivery. Students will learn to identify the target numbers trifecta (glucose/A1C, blood pressure, lipids) based on recent science to promote outcomes. They will be expected to measure effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies of diabetes and its related conditions. This foundations course will create a understanding of the benefits of a weight-inclusive approach in diabetes management. Students are expected to demonstrate competence in using person-first, strengths-based, empowering language to enhance communication and enhance motivation, health and well-being of people with diabetes.
Inclusive Care & Special Populations
The Inclusive Care & Special Populations course will allow students to distinguish at least 5 common barriers faced by vulnerable populations with diabetes and how clinical interventions mitigate these challenges and improve outcomes. Students will analyze how social determinants of health impact people with diabetes, and differentiate treatment approaches for type 1 and 2 in youth. This includes what to teach families of newly diagnosed children and hospital guidelines for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Students will be able to name the 2 main differences in nutrition for pregnant women with diabetes, and explain how low health literacy and food insecurity worsen outcomes. Students will also review the populations hit hardest by diabetes, and how they can improve their experience with the healthcare system and their wellness.
Pharmacotherapy
The Pharmacotherapy course will allow students to differentiate the major medication classifications used for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, and their pathophysiologic target. Students will identify strategies to optimize insulin, including basal, prandial and correctional using case scenarios. The course will review at least 5 of the latest diabetes oral, inhalable, and injectable medications. The course also explains safety considerations of common classifications of medications used for hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and sexual dysfunction. Students will be able to name at least 1 anti-obesity medication used for type 2 diabetes management and remission, and understand common dietary supplements used for diabetes and related conditions that many people take.
Diabetes Technology
Diabetes Technology will identify types of diabetes technology used, from basic to continuous glucose monitoring, and insulin pens and pumps which includes “looping” or artificial pancreas systems. In this course, students will prepare an argument “for” and “against” using a particular diabetes device based on who would and would not be an ideal candidate for that technology. Students will formulate strategies to maximize engagement with diabetes technology. This is done by selecting, procuring, and educating on the right devices when given 3 case studies. Students will also learn about the latest diabetes wellness apps and how telehealth, text messages and social media initiatives increase user engagement and self-care.
Diabetes Education and Wellness
In the Diabetes Education and Wellness course students will compare several nutrition and physical activity approaches and recommend which style might be best. This course is designed for students to understand several different models for inpatient diabetes education, as well as review several case studies on caring for people hospitalized with hyper or hypoglycemia. Students will select evidenced-based approaches to facilitate behavior change in persons living with diabetes. Students will also evaluate the link between the emotional side to diabetes and self-care behavior. Students will be expected to describe how many hours of aerobic exercise can increase insulin sensitivity, and what happens to those improvements in insulin action during times of overeating. Finally students will learn how to communicate with encouraging feedback to a person living with diabetes.