Multidisciplinary health care professional education in diabetes management: evaluation of courses and the development of web-based learning

Abstract

Introduction There is currently debate centred on whether there should be nationally accredited diabetes courses for health care professionals (HCP). The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes will detail a mandatory need for all HCPs involved in diabetes care to regularly receive education. Aims To establish and evaluate multidisciplinary diabetes educational programmes delivered via traditional classroom and webbased methods. Methods A foundation and advanced diabetes course is offered to HCPÕs in the North-west of the UK. The philosophy of both courses is based on the impending NSF and a psychosocial approach to diabetes care. Evaluation focuses on learning outcomes, satisfaction and clinical practice impact. Results Four cohorts from the foundation course and one cohort from the advanced course have been evaluated. Overall achievement of desirable learning outcomes was high, reported by students who received the traditional classroom based courses. Discussion An interactive web site is currently being developed to deliver a distance learning foundation course in diabetes management. Novel evaluation techniques are being considered together with audit of clinical practice impact. Diabetes education for professionals based on new approaches it is argued, enhances the central goal of patient intervention in terms of self-management behaviour.