Education and training for people working with and caring for those with diabetes

The growing need for healthcare workers to be given education and training in diabetes care, along with the focus on improving self-management of the condition, prompted The Open University to launch 'Diabetes Care', a 20-week, first-level course, in 2005. The course was designed to meet the needs of lay people as well as those wishing to undertake a nationally accredited programme of study. It was immediately oversubscribed and continues to be extremely popular. The course model is being replicated in the design of two additional courses in preparation, 'Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases' and 'Managing Obesity'. – There is a substantial and growing demand for education and training in diabetes and its self-management, as evidenced by the ongoing popularity of the 'Diabetes Care' (SK120) course offered by The Open University – SK120 is a 20-week, entry-level course providing 15 CATS points that has been offered since September 2005 – It is based on a series of case studies presented via a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a course book and online discussion forums – The model is being replicated in the preparation of two further courses focusing on cardiovascular diseases and the management of obesit