Program Overview
This Type 1 Diabetes Certificate program for healthcare professionals provides comprehensive knowledge on type 1 diabetes, its management, and care options. Through 11 modules, participants gain a solid foundation in clinical and practical aspects of the condition, including blood glucose management, technology, insulin adjustment, nutrition, and complications. The program emphasizes the patient perspective and professional practice, preparing healthcare professionals to effectively support individuals living with type 1 diabetes.
Program Outline
Outline:
The Type 1 Diabetes Certificate program for regulated healthcare professionals consists of eleven (11) modules designed to increase knowledge about type 1 diabetes, treatment, care options, and techniques specific to working with people living with type 1 diabetes. These modules provide a solid foundation of clinical and practical knowledge of type 1 diabetes; its presentation during various life stages and events (e.g. pregnancy), blood glucose management, various care/treatment technologies, insulin adjustment, the effects of nutrition and exercise, types of complications and suggested treatment, weight care, and a professional practice perspective.
Modules:
Introduction to Type 1 Diabetes
- Understanding what diabetes is, why it occurs, what the symptoms are, and an overview of diagnosis.
Type 1 Diabetes across the Lifespan
- Understanding the impact of type 1 diabetes in various life stages, at specific transition points, and in pregnancy. Essential education principles for each stage and type of patient will be provided.
Type 1 Diabetes Blood Glucose Management
- Understanding measures of blood glucose and its management; self-testing; factors affecting blood glucose levels (and the corresponding symptoms); and an overview of treatments for low and high blood glucose. An overview of all types of insulins available, how they are used and given to patients (including injection technique) will also be discussed.
Type 1 Diabetes Technology for Patients
- Key concepts for learners working with diabetes patients, covering the fast pace of change in the state-of-the-art management of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Topics covered include glucose monitoring devices and use, insulin pumps and benefits, and data analysis review.
Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Adjustment and Care Planning
- Understanding the multiple daily injections (MDI) approach versus the continuous insulin-by-pump approach, and its impact on self-management and blood glucose control.
Nutrition and Exercise
- Extensive information on topics including childhood growth and development, macronutrient and micronutrient suggestions, an important focus on carbohydrate counting with a video example of how to teach a patient, special diets, issues, and blood glucose management for exercise.
Type 1 Diabetes Illness Management
- A detailed understanding of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Educators will be able to teach how to assess for and correct DKA and understand suggestions for coping with other illnesses and surgery/hospital admissions.
Type 1 Diabetes Complications
- Covers the most common complications (co-morbidities) associated with type 1 diabetes, including kidney, heart, eyes, and nerve disease.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes
- An understanding of all aspects of living with type 1 diabetes from the patients' perspective. Being that type 1 is a lifelong and life-threatening condition, it is imperative that HCPs understand its impact on the whole person and family. Topics include sources of support, mental health and wellness, family impact, finances, school considerations, traveling, driving, and career topics.
Professional Practice in a Type 1 Diabetes Team
- Describes the concepts of teamwork, professional practice/limits, and quality improvement.
Weight Management
- Understanding the unique challenges in weight care for healthcare professionals and patients living with type 1 diabetes; the rationale for using weight-neutral language when developing weight care recommendations with clients; and age-specific weight care recommendations to support people living with type 1 diabetes.
Assessment:
The total course consists of eleven (11) modules intended to share extensive knowledge about type 1 diabetes, its treatment, care options, and techniques specifically for care professionals who work with (or want to with) people living with type 1 diabetes. These modules provide a solid foundation of practical clinical knowledge of type 1 diabetes. The modules within the course can be taken as individual courses at any time. However, it is recommended by the program developers that Module 1, Module 3, and Module 6 be taken as a fulsome introduction to caring for people with type 1 diabetes. You have been added to this program upon registration and will have twenty-four (24) months from this date going forward to complete all 11 modules of required content and assessments in the program. This Certificate Program includes, but is not limited to, content presentations, audio/visual and video components, and case scenarios. Concept and topic discussions with a facilitator. The certificate is only granted to those learners who complete all 11 modules as well as the Midterm and Final Examinations (online delivery of multiple-choice questions).