Want your opinion to help shape future Diabetes.co.uk education programs?

Brunneria said:

@DCUK Jessica

Maybe a forum thread that is locked by Admin, where people submit links for vetting, to be uploaded by Admin?

If the thread were left open, the links would soon be lost under comments discussion and criticism, whereas a locked sticky thread would always be available and could be updated where necessary.

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At present anyone can embed a link say to a report or external news article that is relevant to the thread discussion, so remains in context. Agreed the link does get lost unles 'bumped' or recopied to other threads, or saved as a bookmark privately. However, a fixed thread as suggested here would lose the context, and many links are obscure URL database references where their subject is not always clear until used. Admin would have to replace the URL with a new title that makes the reason clear and hide the URL beneath it (bit like Bookmarks have a title to identify the info).

The idea of a sticky could be useful for educational links in the DCUK database that we find being referenced on multiple occasions i.e. conversion tools, basic newbie data, product recalls, meds warnings, bgl metering use and accuracy info. But then, how would I point someone to the correct or relevant link when I am answering their post without leaving that thread first? Difficult one to resolve easily, I think. At present we can copy / paste the link into the thread we are discussing and it is immediately available for use within the context.

I think that no one should ever be sent home with insulin without knowing what their target range is, and what a hypo is and how to treat it, and what DKA is. Although it does not happen as often in type 2, if you are on insulin it can. Someone just offered me the online course(hypos) through email but I have been on insulin for almost two years now without that information. I am from the USA and just stumbled across this site accidentally while looking for information on Diabetes. This site is much better for interactivity than the ADA site.

SWUSA_ said:

I think that no one should ever be sent home with insulin without knowing what their target range is, and what a hypo is and how to treat it, and what DKA is. Although it does not happen as often in type 2, if you are on insulin it can. Someone just offered me the online course(hypos) through email but I have been on insulin for almost two years now without that information. I am from the USA and just stumbled across this site accidentally while looking for information on Diabetes. This site is much better for interactivity than the ADA site.

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I am a T2 and not on insulin, but taking an oral med that acts similarly. I went on this hypo awaremess course, and on the day I completed it, I had my first hypo for real. So I knew what to do, and managed to deal with it without drama. Its a good course, and FREE!!!!

The Low Carb course on this site is also free, and worth doing. It is used by all flavours of PWD to bring sugar levels into control. I recommend it. Its changed my life around, and thats not an exaggeration or sales pitch.
PS thank you for expressing your concern for one of our members.

I just completed the hypo course yesterday. I have two other metabolic disorders though and so my numbers are skewed high. I over store iron, have an elevated (slightly at this point) hemocrit and do not process some proteins as other people do so. Although it reassured me, I have some special concerns with lows. I just recommended the hypo course to someone else right before I read this post. Do you know of free education on ketones and DKA?

SWUSA_ said:

I just completed the hypo course yesterday. I have two other metabolic disorders though and so my numbers are skewed high. I over store iron, have an elevated (slightly at this point) hemocrit and do not process some proteins as other people do so. Although it reassured me, I have some special concerns with lows. I just recommended the hypo course to someone else right before I read this post. Do you know of free education on ketones and DKA?

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Sorry, a search on the web turns up no training courses AT ALL. I am not sure if it is ever covered by the DAFNE or DESMOND or X-PERT training that the NHS provides new diabetics, but I have no knowledge of things in USA. Maybe Joslin or ADA have some online content?
The nearest I could get is a DIY kit as follows:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/basics/symptoms/con-20026470

Here is the DUK version (The other lot):
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Complications/Diabetic_Ketoacidosis/

Suggest an online training module and.or guideines for DKA added to the Home Page. I searched this site, and found very little readily accessible to a Newbie. Not just a T1 problem, can affect T2 as well, especially in light of some new oral meds inducing DKA at lowish bgl levels (i.e. 13 mmol/l up)

Oldvatr said:

Suggest an online training module and.or guideines for DKA added to the Home Page. I searched this site, and found very little readily accessible to a Newbie. Not just a T1 problem, can affect T2 as well, especially in light of some new oral meds inducing DKA at lowish bgl levels (i.e. 13 mmol/l up)

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Thank you, I am on insulin so it is a risk. I was borderline as a child, sometimes requiring insulin and having lows. DKA is areal risk.

I think it would be very helpful to have an easy to understand " what is a carb" section complete with links to a few of the on line recording programs that people can look at. a lot of people don't understand what a carb actually is so they still make poor food choices even though they are trying to eat low carb .

I don't have diabetes but am interested in food issues and recipe ideas - and there are plenty of those!

I do however write exam questions and help design exam specifications so when I heard that the examboard NCFE are designing a new level 3 diabetes management exam aimed at practioners I was able to suggest they include discussion of all diet types with diabetes patients and not dismiss them.

The forums showed me this is quite a problem.

I hope this aspect will be included.