I think @MeiChanski has covered what it entails fairly well @ariaxo but I found the input very superficial and largely unhelpful and not particularly informative. The "text book" given at the beginning of the course had all the information and if this had been distributed prior to the start of the course and it had been a flip learning course it might, just might have been more beneficial. I learned more from talking to participants on their experience than on the course. I did it in the hope that I might, again just might get a CGM. My Ffaniny modryb in Wales (you'll need to put that in Google translate)and she wouldn't have gained much from the course. I was very disappointedWhat does it entail? I’ve been told if I want to go on the insulin pump, I have to do this course.
Sounds brilliant, definetly one to book then, glad you managed to get within a good range, hopefully that will be me next!I couldn't believe the course was for a week before I started. I thought I was well researched beforehand, completing the Bertieonline course, but I really didn't realise how much there was to know. It did cover pumps in detail. For me, I met other type 1 diabetics for the first time, learnt about all of the different insulins, injections, dosing, ketones, technology, physiology, injection sites, IR, different CHO ratios for different times of the day, sick day rules, travel, Frio bags, normal eating, recording and testing analysing the data and giving and receiving dosing advice across a group, antibodies, pregnancy, research, and exercise and specific sports training, I felt really confident and competent by the end of the course and as a result managed to move my BS's into the normal range, with my fuller understanding of type 1.
And you can always build from what you've learned and discard the parts that don't fit you personallyI definetly think I am going to go in this, I think it is all beneficial and there will always be something new to learn or some good advice we can take onboard! Anything to make our lives easier if possible!
I did all the above in terms of contacting my team, but was refused the pump until I did the DAFNE course, so while it obviously worked for you in your area, it didn't for me and others in my area. Each area is different and what works in some area won't in others.
Once I'd done the course I had no problems getting my pump.
I'm sorry you didn't get to do the DAFNE course.. I've also completed the Bertie online but found the DAFNE life-changing in terms of insulin management and safety. Which is why it's a pre requirement.I’d put money on it working in just about every area if you pushed it enough, I was refused a pump at least 4 times in the last 3 year because of Dafne being part of the criteria. All of a sudden when I push them hard enough & then find out about the Bertie course I’m suddenly fine to have the pump? It’s bull.. Same with the Libre, didn’t meet any criteria last year but because of a good relationship with my consultant I was granted it. Still have the email on my phone where He told me he needed me to show significant improvement because he went against all criteria to let me have it.
I’d say a big part of it comes down to the relationship you have with your team.
I'm sorry you didn't get to do the DAFNE course.. I've also completed the Bertie online but found the DAFNE life-changing in terms of insulin management and safety. Which is why it's a pre requirement.
Out of interest what was you Hba1c before the pump or Libre? Did it make a difference?Dont need to be sorry, like I say it was my choice not to do it due to work commitments. To be honest I don’t learn well in a class room anyway so for me 5 days in a room learning from books etc wouldn’t really benefit me. I’m more a hands on learner if that makes sense..
What really annoys me is why the requirements differ so much from area to area, obviously it’s benefited me but it’s got to seriously annoy people. No Dafne for me but I get a pump, don’t meet Libre criteria but I get a Libre. When I was on a pump as a child I didn’t have to do Dafne then either.
Out of interest what was you Hba1c before the pump or Libre? Did it make a difference?
Your Hba1c remaining high despite trying to manage your diabetes would have met the criteria for the funding.When I was giving the funding for Libre it was in the low 60’s, I came off Libre for a while and it went up to 83. When I challenged my team in November about a pump my Hba1c was still 83 but they where still determined I had to do Dafne (which I didnt). Maybe the raise in hba1c give them the kick up the backside to let me have the pump