Summary of content

This module will give a broad overview of and introduction to the various types of Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).

The students will review their understanding of the physiology of glucose balance in health and disease. They will discuss the nature, aetiology and epidemiology of diabetes and the role of the Health Care Professional, both in management of the disease and in counselling of the patient.

An outline will be given of the pathophysiology of diabetes - both macrovascular and microvascular.

Students will develop an understanding of the methods used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes and the drug therapies currently available and in development.

Discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) will allow the student to reflect on this growing area of patient self-medication and to consider the dangers and potential uses of CAM.

Aspects of diet and lifestyle modification will be considered in a culturally competent setting as will the fundamentals of dealing with potential emergencies.

Obesity as a driver of diabetes will be examined.

Important specialist areas of the care and management of diabetes will be discussed such as diabetes and reproduction and diabetes and depression.

The organisation and delivery of health care services will be considered, particularly in terms of the need for a multi-professional approach to the management of diabetes.

Throughout the module, students will consider the scientific basis of diabetes research past, present and future.

Module structure

Assessment methods