Free Educational Website Created by UCSF Diabetes Teaching Center Goes Live!
Because the rate of diabetes is increasing so rapidly, the need for education exceeds the number of health professionals available to provide such education. In response to this need, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has implemented a website that provides curriculum for both Type I and Type II diabetics. This website is similar to the highly successful American Diabetes Association (ADA) accredited teaching program curriculum presented to thousands of patients at UCSF over the past 30 years.
According to the latest statistics released by the ADA, in the US there are over 23 million individuals with diabetes and 37 million with pre-diabetes, but only about 4,000 trained physicians provide the specialized care people with diabetes need. UCSF projects that 80 million people may benefit from this website which can be found at http://www.deo.ucsf.edu .
Aside from the separate curriculums for Type I and Type II diabetes, the website provides a sub-curriculum for type 2 patients based on treatment (i.e. oral medication vs. insulin) and information for health care providers. The website is geared towards both the newly diagnosed diabetic and those who want advanced information. Each section provides detailed explanations and scientific information to back up its teachings, self-management instruction and optional self-quizzes to assess knowledge learned. There are also tables, charts, illustrations and videos to facilitate the learning process.
Kudos to UCSF for developing such a valuable educational resource!
About the author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
