-
Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
-
University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
-
About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
-
Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
-
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
-
Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
-
Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
-
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Header & Footer
University of Galway
Course Module Information
Course Modules
GPN02: Diabetes in Primary Care
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Diabetes in Primary Care is one of the 3 modules of the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Primary Care. These 3 courses are aimed specifically for GPs and Practice Nurses to improve the management of patients with chronic diseases and conditions relating to each area. In particular for Diabetes in Primary Care, this course covers the diagnosis and management of diabetes and it's complications. This course has been developed so that the tutors and teachers involved are local experts and specialists in the area and involves a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the course is to offer an excellent learning resource and also offer an opportunity to build support with specialists in secondary care. This module has been developed for general practitioners and practice nurses and is aimed to address the learning needs of those managing the chronic condition of diabetes in primary care. This course is ICGP accredited.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- • Explain the symptoms of diabetes in terms of metabolic abnormalities of diabetes
- • Demonstrate a full understanding of the most appropriate diagnostic tests for diabetes and the rationale for choosing these tests
- • Describe the classification of diabetes
- • Differentiate in most newly presenting patients between type 1 and 2 diabetes
- • Describe the benefits of a screening programme for diabetes
- • Describe and evaluate current research in diabetes prevention
- • Describe and evaluate the major studies on the benefits of blood glucose control in diabetes
- • Educate people with diabetes on the benefits of tight blood glucose control
- • Assess the level of control of diabetes for each individual
- • Describe and evaluate the current evidence on clinical and self-monitoring of blood glucose
- • Describe the aims of diabetes management
- • Describe and evaluate major international and national studies on the management of diabetes in primary care
- • Set up a practice register
- • Organize regular reviews for people with diabetes
- • Create a practice protocol for the review visit of people with diabetes
- • Carry out regular evaluation with audit of the care of people with diabetes in the practice
- • Communicate the benefits of promoting changes in health-related behaviour
- • Apply recent advances in nutrition therapy in diabetes care
- • Formulate an effective individualised programme for dietary modification and increased physical activity for the person with diabetes
- • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the indications for and mechanisms of actions of the different classes of glucose–lowering agents (except insulin) used in treating type 2 diabetes
- • Apply this knowledge in evaluating the effectiveness and rationale for the drug regimen in use
- • Demonstrate a clear knowledge of appropriate and optimal use of different glucose-lowering agents that should be added in second and third line after metformin to achieve glycaemic targets in a wide range of clinical settings
- • Discuss appropriate targets for treatment with each person in drawing up a patient-centred individualised care plan
- • Describe the common side-effects of glucose-lowering agents that tolook out for in patients
- • Advise patients on their glucose-lowering agents in order to increase compliance with treatment
- • Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of insulin
- • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods of insulin administration
- • Explain the indications for introducing insulin in type 2 diabetes
- • Advise patients about practical aspects of their insulin treatment
- • Monitor for problems associated with insulin injections
- • Advise about adjusting doses to achieve optimal control
- • Describe the causes of hypoglycaemia
- • Diagnose and manage acute hypoglycaemic episodes
- • Advise individuals with diabetes on preventing and self-management of hypoglycaemia
- • Explain the mechanisms of hyperglycaemic complications of diabetes including diabetic ketoacidosis
- • Describe how to recognise hyperglycaemic complications so that they can be referred promptly for hospital treatment
- • Advise people with diabetes during episodes of intercurrent illness in order to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis
- • Advise people with diabetes regarding safe driving and international travel to avoid acute complications.
- • Explain the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes
- • Describe the risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- • Evaluate the evidence for aggressive multiple risk factor intervention in diabetes in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
- • Assess and manage hypertension in people with diabetes according to evidence-based guidelines
- • Assess and manage dyslipidaemia in people with diabetes according to evidence-based guidelines
- • Select high risk individuals for screening for cardiovascular disease
- • Describe the problem of erectile dysfunction in the context of diabetes
- • Describe the management of coronary artery disease in diabetes
- • Ensure secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes who have existing cardiovascular disease
- • Explain the choices in contraception available to individuals with diabetes
- • Describe the importance of good diabetes control in avoiding complications in pregnancy
- • Recognise an individual’s risk factors for microvascular disease, in particular diabetic eye, foot and kidney disease and take steps to minimize those risk factors
- • Describe the role of the primary care team in ensuring annual recall and in screening for retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy
- • Organise screening for diabetic complications in order to aid their early detection
- • Utilise effectively the resources of the health service in organising treatment for diabetic complications
- • Educate patients about diabetic complications, the need for regular screening for complications even if they are asymptomatic, and the various treatment options available if complications arise
- • Teach people with diabetes about self-care of their feet in order to prevent foot problems
- • Carry out a full examination and evaluation of the foot
- • Describe the process of screening for and managing diabetic foot problems
- • Arrange appropriate referral for any foot problems encountered
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- SEAN FINBARR DINNEEN:
Research Profile |
Email
- PAUL WILLIAM GORMLEY:
Research Profile |
Email
- BREDA KELLEHER:
Research Profile |
Email
- MARI MORAN:
Research Profile |
Email
- EVA FLYNN:
Research Profile |
Email
Reading List
- "A Practical Guide to Integrated Diabetes Care" by n/a
- "Additional recommended and supplemental references per weekly unit." by n/a
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.