University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

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
  1. • Explain the symptoms of diabetes in terms of metabolic abnormalities of diabetes
  2. • Demonstrate a full understanding of the most appropriate diagnostic tests for diabetes and the rationale for choosing these tests
  3. • Describe the classification of diabetes
  4. • Differentiate in most newly presenting patients between type 1 and 2 diabetes
  5. • Describe the benefits of a screening programme for diabetes
  6. • Describe and evaluate current research in diabetes prevention
  7. • Describe and evaluate the major studies on the benefits of blood glucose control in diabetes
  8. • Educate people with diabetes on the benefits of tight blood glucose control
  9. • Assess the level of control of diabetes for each individual 
  10. • Describe and evaluate the current evidence on clinical and self-monitoring of blood glucose
  11. • Describe the aims of diabetes management
  12. • Describe and evaluate major international and national studies on the management of diabetes in primary care
  13. • Set up a practice register
  14. • Organize regular reviews for people with diabetes
  15. • Create a practice protocol for the review visit of people with diabetes
  16. • Carry out regular evaluation with audit of the care of people with diabetes in the practice
  17. • Communicate the benefits of promoting changes in health-related behaviour
  18. • Apply recent advances in nutrition therapy in diabetes care
  19. • Formulate an effective individualised programme for dietary modification and increased physical activity for the person with diabetes
  20. • 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
  21. • Apply this knowledge in evaluating the effectiveness and rationale for the drug regimen in use
  22. • 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
  23. • Discuss appropriate targets for treatment with each person in drawing up a patient-centred individualised care plan
  24. • Describe the common side-effects of glucose-lowering agents that tolook out for in patients
  25. • Advise patients on their glucose-lowering agents in order to increase compliance with treatment
  26. • Demonstrate an understanding of the various types of insulin
  27. • Demonstrate an understanding of the methods of insulin administration
  28. • Explain the indications for introducing insulin in type 2 diabetes
  29. • Advise patients about practical aspects of their insulin treatment
  30. • Monitor for problems associated with insulin injections
  31. • Advise about adjusting doses to achieve optimal control
  32. • Describe the causes of hypoglycaemia
  33. • Diagnose and manage acute hypoglycaemic episodes
  34. • Advise individuals with diabetes on preventing and self-management of hypoglycaemia
  35. • Explain the mechanisms of hyperglycaemic complications of diabetes including diabetic ketoacidosis
  36. • Describe how to recognise hyperglycaemic complications so that they can be referred promptly for hospital treatment
  37. • Advise people with diabetes during episodes of intercurrent illness in order to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis
  38. • Advise people with diabetes regarding safe driving and international travel to avoid acute complications.
  39. • Explain the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes
  40. • Describe the risk factors for cardiovascular disease
  41. • Evaluate the evidence for aggressive multiple risk factor intervention in diabetes in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
  42. • Assess and manage hypertension in people with diabetes according to evidence-based guidelines
  43. • Assess and manage dyslipidaemia in people with diabetes according to evidence-based guidelines
  44. • Select high risk individuals for screening for cardiovascular disease
  45. • Describe the problem of erectile dysfunction in the context of diabetes
  46. • Describe the management of coronary artery disease in diabetes
  47. • Ensure secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes who have existing cardiovascular disease
  48. • Explain the choices in contraception available to individuals with diabetes
  49. • Describe the importance of good diabetes control in avoiding complications in pregnancy
  50. • 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 
  51. • Describe the role of the primary care team in ensuring annual recall and in screening for retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy
  52. • Organise screening for diabetic complications in order to aid their early detection
  53. • Utilise effectively the resources of the health service in organising treatment for diabetic complications
  54. • 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
  55. • Teach people with diabetes about self-care of their feet in order to prevent foot problems 
  56. • Carry out a full examination and evaluation of the foot
  57. • Describe the process of screening for and managing diabetic foot problems
  58. • Arrange appropriate referral for any foot problems encountered
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "A Practical Guide to Integrated Diabetes Care" by n/a
  2. "Additional recommended and supplemental references per weekly unit." by n/a
The above information outlines module GPN02: "Diabetes in Primary Care" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.