Developing an Understanding of Diabetes Care

Course Delivery & Duration

The course begins with a mandatory one-day workshop followed by four months of self-directed study during which the student will have regular contact with a named course tutor who will support the student with their academic work. A learning pack linked to clinical activities complements the self-directed study. The non-accredited course consists of the workshop and learning pack.

Suitable For

Health Care Assistant

Accreditations

Teesside University UCCE Developing an Understanding of Diabetes Care 20 credits level 4

Outline Content

This module is designed specifically for health care assistants working in primary care who are assisting health care professionals in the management of diabetes. It enhances their knowledge and skills in the field of diabetes in relation to the care of clients with the disease and their families. It focuses on the key aspects of care and the organisation and management of the services available to support the care given.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of the health needs of the individual, health promotion and empowerment.

Entry Criteria

Students must be employed as a primary health care assistant and working alongside a registered nurse who will act as a Practice Mentor and support them in the clinical environment. Students must have access to people with diabetes.

This  course can be studied as a stand-alone course or an optional module on the Certificate in Higher Education Primary Care programme.

Learning Outcomes

• Articulate and evaluate own capabilities in key areas and engage in development activity through guided self-direction
• Use interpersonal and communication skills to clarify tasks and identify and rectify issues in diabetes care
• Work effectively with others and recognise the factors that affect multi-disciplinary team performance while providing diabetes care
• Operate competently and responsibly in digital environments and use digital media effectively to provide patient centred care
• Understand competing perspectives that inform decisions and articulate reasoning for own decisions made to benefit diabetes care
• Develop a broader understanding of the knowledge base to identify underlying theoretical frameworks, and begin to identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Identify a well-defined focus for enquiry and undertake strategies using a defined range of methods
• Collect information and data from a variety of sources and articulate findings in an appropriate format
• Provide informed solutions to standard problems during provision of diabetes care
• Analyse a range of information and judge the reliability of data and information using predefined techniques in order to provide best possible care
• Operate under supervision in a range of varied but predictable contexts
• Reflect on performance of tasks which may be complex and non-routine during provision of diabetes care
• Be aware of ethical issues in relation to personal beliefs and values

Section Headings

• Definition, nature and incidence of diabetes mellitus
• Tests used for the diagnosis and monitoring of people with diabetes
• Approaches to lifestyle modification
• The HCA role in health promotion in people with diabetes
• Principles underpinning the treatment and care of people with diabetes
• Education and empowerment of the patient
• Multidisciplinary approaches to caring for people with diabetes
• Study Skills

Assessment

Students on the accredited course will be required to submit a 3,000 word assignment which focuses on the role of the health care assistant in the management of people with diabetes. Consent must be obtained in accordance with the School of Health and Social Care policy.

The essay is submitted in week 16 of the module.

All Learning Outcomes are assessed.

This assignment will assess the student’s ability to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• Explain the risk factors for the development of Type 2 diabetes
• Explain the tests used to diagnose diabetes
• Discuss the role of the health care assistant in health promotion within the multidisciplinary team
• Use national guidance to describe and justify your actions related to the care of people with diabetes
• Explain how care delivered will help in the prevention of complications of diabetes
• Adhere to the School of Health & Social Care policy for confidentiality and consent
• Adhere to the School of Health & Social Care guidance for presentation and referencing

There is no assessment on the non-accredited course.