Diabetes Educator Course

Lesson 1 • Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Examines global prevalence trends, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, and high-risk populations. Contextualises the public health urgency of diabetes education.

Lesson 2 • Classification and Diagnostic Criteria

Defines Type 1, Type 2, gestational, and secondary diabetes using current diagnostic thresholds. Accurate classification directs appropriate treatment planning.

Lesson 3 • Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Function

Covers normal carbohydrate metabolism, insulin secretion, and receptor signalling. Provides the biochemical baseline needed to understand all subsequent disease processes.

Lesson 1 • Special Nutritional Considerations

Addresses eating during illness, fasting, alcohol use, and cultural food practices. Ensures nutrition guidance is safe and culturally responsive.

Lesson 2 • Evidence-Based Dietary Patterns

Compares Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, DASH, and plant-based patterns for diabetes outcomes. Enables educators to match dietary approaches to patient preferences.

Lesson 3 • Practical Meal Planning Tools

Introduces the plate method, food exchange lists, and digital tracking apps. Equips educators with accessible tools for diverse patient literacy levels.

Lesson 4 • Carbohydrate Counting and Insulin Ratios

Teaches basic and advanced carbohydrate counting linked to insulin-to-carb ratios. Directly supports patients using multiple daily injections or insulin pumps.

Lesson 1 • Exercise Contraindications and Precautions

Identifies conditions requiring medical clearance or exercise modification, including neuropathy and retinopathy. Ensures educator recommendations prioritise patient safety.

Lesson 2 • Managing Glucose During Activity

Covers pre-, during-, and post-exercise glucose monitoring and adjustment strategies. Enables safe participation for patients on insulin or secretagogues.

Lesson 3 • Exercise Prescription Principles

Applies FITT-VP principles to create individualised activity plans for diabetes. Connects exercise type, frequency, and intensity to glycaemic targets.

Lesson 1 • Insulin Types and Regimens

Classifies rapid, short, intermediate, and long-acting insulins and their pharmacokinetic profiles. Supports patient education on timing, dosing, and storage.

Lesson 2 • Medication Adherence and Side Effect Management

Addresses common barriers to adherence and strategies to manage gastrointestinal, hypoglycaemic, and other side effects. Directly improves patient outcomes through educator support.

Lesson 3 • Oral and Non-Insulin Injectable Agents

Reviews metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and DPP-4 inhibitors. Links each drug class to its mechanism and patient selection criteria.

Lesson 4 • Emerging and Combination Therapies

Introduces fixed-ratio combination injectables, dual agonists, and pipeline agents. Prepares educators to discuss evolving treatment options with patients.

Lesson 1 • Ambulatory Glucose Profile Analysis

Teaches use of the ambulatory glucose profile report to identify patterns and time-in-range metrics. Connects data analysis to actionable therapy adjustments.

Lesson 2 • Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose

Covers meter accuracy, testing technique, frequency recommendations, and log interpretation. Establishes the monitoring foundation before introducing advanced technology.

Lesson 3 • Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

Explains CGM sensor placement, calibration, alarms, and trend arrow interpretation. Enables educators to train patients on real-time glucose management.

Lesson 4 • Insulin Pump Therapy Basics

Introduces continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, basal rate programming, and bolus delivery. Prepares educators to support pump-using patients in self-management.

Lesson 1 • Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State Awareness

Distinguishes HHS from DKA by presentation, risk population, and severity. Prepares educators to recognise high-risk patients and reinforce prevention behaviours.

Lesson 2 • Sick-Day Management Planning

Provides a structured framework for medication, monitoring, and nutrition during illness. Reduces acute complication risk through proactive patient preparation.

Lesson 3 • Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prevention and Education

Explains DKA triggers, warning signs, and sick-day management rules to prevent hospitalisation. Focuses on patient education strategies that reduce DKA incidence.

Lesson 1 • Mental Health and Diabetes Distress

Identifies depression, anxiety, and diabetes distress as barriers to self-management. Equips educators to screen, support, and refer patients appropriately.

Lesson 2 • Kidney Disease and Medication Adjustments

Explains chronic kidney disease staging and its impact on medication safety and dosing. Enables educators to reinforce nephrology team guidance for patients.

Lesson 3 • Microvascular Complications Overview

Covers retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy pathogenesis and screening schedules. Links glycaemic control to complication prevention in patient counselling.

Lesson 4 • Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction

Addresses hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and atherosclerosis management in diabetes. Integrates cardioprotective medication education with lifestyle counselling.

Lesson 1 • DSMES Framework and Standards

Introduces the national standards for DSMES, programme accreditation, and quality indicators. Provides the professional and regulatory context for education programme design.

Lesson 2 • Goal Setting and Behaviour Change

Teaches SMART goal-setting, motivational interviewing, and problem-solving frameworks. Translates clinical knowledge into sustainable patient behaviour change.

Lesson 3 • Ongoing Support and Follow-Up Strategies

Designs ongoing support structures including peer support, telehealth, and community resources. Sustains behaviour change beyond initial education encounters.

Lesson 4 • Adult Learning Principles in Diabetes Education

Applies andragogy, self-determination theory, and health literacy principles to diabetes teaching. Ensures education is patient-centred and motivationally effective.