Table of Contents
Amy McIlhatton is a Diabetes Educator for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. In her day to day work she facilitates the DESMOND (Diabetes and Self-Management for People with Diabetes and Newly Diagnosed) course and is currently undertaking postgraduate study so that she can educate healthcare staff caring for people with diabetes in the local community.
My Role
A big part of my role is delivering the DESMOND course which aims to support people with type 2 diabetes, both newly diagnosed and long-term patients.
The course takes place over one day in a group format (9.30am – 4pm). Over the course of six hours, participants have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others and the content we deliver. Sessions are interactive, in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Courses are likely to be held in various venues within our Trust area.
I thoroughly enjoy my working day and how it is structured. I usually arrive an hour before the course is due to run and ensure all the necessary equipment is ready. Myself and my co-instructors prepare the room, distribute participant packs, set up the food model table, display magnetic boards and flip charts and most importantly ensure the tea and coffee area is properly set up.
Afterwards, we would like to welcome all participants and their relatives (if they are bringing them) individually and in a relaxed atmosphere.
What you will learn in the DESMOND course
Desmond Topics will include introductions, listening to participants, glucose talk, monitoring, carbohydrates, considerations, possible long-term effects, and ways to mitigate risk.
It also includes sections on physical activity, food group FAT, creating a self-management plan, and finally, discussing future care and participant questions.
It's important to note that participants will be given a pack with all this content, so they don't have to memorize it all on the spot.
Of course, other healthcare professionals and I understand that sometimes participants may feel that it is not the right time to join the DESMOND course – that's OK as you can join at any stage in your diabetes care. We are really pleased to see that participants have given the course a lot of positive feedback.
Once the course is over for the day, I and my co-instructors pack up all the materials again and clean the room and equipment, after which our organized and helpful administrative colleagues complete the process: who attended and what to do afterwards.
My role is to eventually start to educate the medical staff in care homes about diabetes and as part of this I am currently doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetic Health and Wellbeing which so far has greatly increased my knowledge about diabetes.
This not only gave me a better understanding of diabetes medications but also the importance of using health literacy, education and proper communication skills to support diabetes patients, caregivers and relatives. I believe this has really helped me to continue thinking holistically about my personal care and health beliefs in a broader perspective.
Adapting to the challenges
I began in this role in July 2022 and throughout that time I have seen restrictions change in response to infection control protocols, which can impact the number of participants that can attend each course and whether or not relatives can attend due to room numbers.
This is something my colleagues experienced quite a bit a few years ago during the COVID pandemic, and the program was able to adapt in response to these challenges.
Working with DESMOND’s head office in Leicester, the co-educators were able to develop and deliver a virtual version of the course for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The virtual version offers exactly the same content as the face-to-face course, providing a relaxed, interactive environment in which participants can learn and share their experiences.
DESMOND can now be delivered in-person or virtually, depending on participants’ preferences, and participants also have the following follow-up options: MYDESMOND Web-Based Learning Tools.
Best for diabetics, best for our team
An important part of my role is undoubtedly people with diabetes, their families and our team. I believe that people with diabetes should have the highest quality education possible and as educators we enjoy our job supporting people with diabetes.
We always strive to follow the latest guidelines, adapt well to change and have regular team meetings. We also have a quality development process with Leicester department which assesses our teaching methods and once we pass this we have to be re-accredited every three years.
I am incredibly proud of the DESMOND Northern Health Social Care Trust team – we attended the DESMOND Awards in Leicester last October and were 'Highly Commended' as joint runners-up for DESMOND Team of the Year 2023.
At the inner Diabetes CareI hope that we can achieve a smoother, more streamlined process so that all people with diabetes across the country can receive the same services. As healthcare professionals, I believe that we strive for the best for people with diabetes, their families, our staff, and the organization as a whole.
Combining knowledge and empowerment
My advice to anyone living with type 2 diabetes is to come and join our course, and if you've attended before, please come again.
If you have any concerns about your diabetes you should speak to a healthcare professional straight away – use a trusted evidence-based service such as Diabetes UK. Websitegeneral practitioners and community pharmacists.
A diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but with knowledge and confidence you will feel more confident and positive about managing your symptoms. We always say “small steps make big changes.”
You may be referred to a DESMOND course through a medical professional or you can make your own referral. Call us on 028 2766 1478 or email us. [email protected]
On a more personal note, if you were starting your first job right now, what advice would you give to yourself?
It's important to be patient with yourself and remember that you can't learn everything in a day. It takes time and experience, but you always have the support of your colleagues.
Working in the diabetes world is tough but also very rewarding. Being able to empower and support people with diabetes is fantastic and definitely a positive outlook.
The views and opinions expressed in the 'Views' section of this website are solely those of the authors of each article. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the charity Diabetes UK or its staff.
If you are a healthcare professional based in Northern Ireland and would like to contribute to News & Views, Ireland Include a brief outline of your idea.
