Learning from practice

Cited in High Impact Changes for Practice Teams, the Improvement Foundation and the NHS Institute Sept 2006 under Change No 1: Promote patient self care and self management
More details on the Improvement Foundation website at http://www.improvementfoundation.org/View.aspx?page=/topics/health/practice/more_info/high_impact.html

Derbyshire Dales & South Derbyshire PCT undertook a needs assessment in all the practices within the PCT and found that there was no standardised education for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The practice nurse was identified as the main deliverer of education, and varying amounts of time were being spent on this task, from 0.5-3.5hrs per patient. In addition there was no standardised written information given to patients.

Clinicians worked with service users to design a programme which would meet NICE guidance for patient-education (2003). The course, entitled “Diabetes & You” consists of three 2-hour group education sessions delivered over a 6-week period, covering all aspects of diabetes care including what is diabetes, treatment, management, food and diabetes, activity, foot care, what care to expect and the annual review.

The courses are held in different accessible locations across the PCT, in a variety of venues including a leisure centre and a community centre, and are delivered by primary care professionals experienced in diabetes, namely practice nurses with expertise in diabetes, a community dietician and a podiatrist. As the courses were held at a leisure centre, staff there were able to input on physical activity. People attending are involved in the self management of their diabetes by having well managed blood glucose control; being able to manage their weight and diet, and undertaking appropriate physical activity; and having improved psychological well-being and quality of life.

Initial evaluations have been very promising with 93% of people finding the sessions helpful and useful, 96% reporting they understood the sessions and 89% feeling they had ample opportunity to participate.

This programme offers people with diabetes an opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills to manage a condition they live with on a daily basis, and enhance their quality of life.