Diabetes Fundamentals and Diabetes Education

Diabetes is a National Health Priority Area. The condition is characterised by hyperglycaemia caused by an inability to either make and/or use insulin effectively. Hyperglycaemia affect nearly every part of the body including diabetes-related retinopathy, neuropathies, poor wound healing and incontinence to causing chronic kidney disease, amputations and cardiovascular disease.

The first step to becoming a Diabetes Educator is to complete 24 credit points in a course accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).  We have two 12 credit point micro-credentials Diabetes Fundamentals and Diabetes Education designed for allied health professionals.

Diabetes Fundamentals [PHCYM501] provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your existing knowledge through assessed content. The content of this micro-credential includes all curriculum content required in the entry level qualification as a diabetes educator as it acknowledges that current practising allied health professionals will have existing knowledge in diabetes, patient education and counselling, critical appraisal skills and evidence-based practice, management and administration, and leadership and advocacy.  

In Diabetes Education [PHCYN502] allied health professionals including pharmacists, will improve their ability to provide care to people living with diabetes. Topics covered will specifically focus on clinical practice to apply knowledge of best practice treatment, management and care to people living with diabetes. You will learn more about the role of the interdisciplinary team, and tailor clinical interventions to the individual to maximise the health outcomes for people living with diabetes. In doing so, you will learn to apply evidence-based education and self-management skills, interventions and techniques to support people with diabetes. 

Accreditation is being sought from the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) for PHCYM501 and PHCYN502 to meet the formal learning requirements in Step 1 of becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator (CDE).

PHCYN502 Diabetes Education is delivered with the support of the Australian Government's Micro-credentials Pilot in Higher Education.

Upon successful completion of both micro-credentials PHCYM501 and PHCYN502, you'll receive:

• 24 PD Points (12pt for each micro-credential) - can be used for academic credit
• A Certificate of Achievement
• A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials

Delivery mode

Both PHCYM501 and PHCYN502 are Online.

Prior to undertaking the assessments for PHCYM501 Diabetes Fundamentals, you should reflect on your own learning needs for understanding diabetes. You may choose to access the online curated resources for guided self-directed learning to develop your knowledge of diabetes. Alternatively, you may choose to undertake the online assessment tasks directly. 

Led by industry leaders, PHCYN502 Diabetes Education is a highly practical micro-credential that gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in providing care to people living with diabetes. This micro-credential will be delivered asynchronously online giving you the opportunity to study around your other commitments. 

Course dates PHCYM501 Diabetes Fundamentals (choose one)

13 April - 25 May 2025; OR

27 April - 10 May 2025; OR

15 June - 5 July 2025; OR

6 July - 19 July 2025

Course dates PHCYN502 Diabetes Education

28 April - 19 July 2025

Commitment

Diabetes Fundamentals is an assessment of existing knowledge with personal study using self-guided learning, curated resources within a period of 4 weeks.

Diabetes Education takes place over 12 weeks with online readings, video lectures, optional tutorials, simulated placements, assessments, and an optional in-person workshop on Friday 11 July.

Academic lead

Dr Amy Page, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's Pharmacist of the Year 2024

Cost

Currently only $660 inc. GST for eligible domestic participants to undertake both 12pt micro-credentials, PHCYM501 and PHCYN502. Thanks to the Australian Government's Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education we are able to waive the fee for PHCYN502 for a limited time (limited fee-free places available). 

Why study this course?

Designed for allied health professionals this micro-credential provides the opportunity to demonstrate existing understanding of the fundamental knowledge required to meet the entry level competence as a diabetes educator.

Allied health professionals including pharmacists who undertake Diabetes Education [PHCYN502] will develop skills in diabetes assessment and management, diabetes medication management (including insulins, oral anti-glycaemics and new agents), blood glucose management, managing diabetes complications and an understanding of the interrelationship between nutrition, exercise, stress and medications. Learners will improve their skills and knowledge in the use of devices and self management strategies.

Who should study this course?

These micro-credentials are designed for optometrists, exercise physiologists, pharmacists, podiatrists, physiotherapists and dietitians, which are all Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) recognised primary allied health discipline professions. We are seeking accreditation for this course from ADEA. ADEA credential health professionals from one of the following disciplines to become credentialed diabetes educators: dietitians, exercise physiologists, medical practitioners, registered nurses, midwives, pharmacists, podiatrists, physiotherapists and optometrists. While the courses are suitable for any of these health professionals, it has been designed for allied health professionals (including pharmacists).

It is not required that you are working directly in a role that provides care for people with diabetes to undertake this micro-credential.

Recommended prior learning:

Successful completion of PHCYM501 is required to complete PHCYN502. It is recommended that you enrol in both micro-credentials at the same time, to take advantage of the low fee and to obtain the greatest benefits from these courses

ADEA membership is required to access the ADEA Professional Practice micro-credential, which needs to be completed as part of PHCYN502.

More information on the pathway to becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator is available from ADEA. Further requirements include completion of practice hours, a workplace based assessment and mentorship. 

Familiarity with Microsoft Teams is recommended for PHCYN502 as well as familiarity and access to a recording device (e.g. a tablet, smartphone, computer with a camera, video camera) and knowledge of how to use the video function, including how to export and share a video from your device.

What's next after this course?

Graduates will be given the opportunity to become preceptors or mentors for future students. This opportunity to remain involved in the course delivery and contribute to upskilling the pharmacist and allied health practitioner workforce to contribute to diabetes education is a valuable opportunity for practitioners.