About this resource
This RCN Diabetes resource directs you to key sources of information and resources for diabetes care across the four UK countries. Diabetes care is a very dynamic area and these pages will be regularly updated to signpost new resources and initiatives.
Who is the resource aimed at?
The resources signposted are useful to health care practitioners, to people with diabetes and their families and carers.
What is the purpose of the resource?
It is intended to be a signposting resource that will point you to information about diabetes care and further resources. It is equally useful to those who are very new to diabetes and to those who are more experienced who wish to check out information on a particular aspect of diabetes and its management or, for example, practitioners who are working in different practice areas who need to find out more when caring for patients who also have diabetes.
Are there any specific learning materials in this resource?
This resource complements a separate learning area from the RCN Learning Zone, Diabetes essentials, which was published in December 2012.
Diabetes essentials provides interactive learning on the different types of diabetes, their diagnosis and management and highlights the role of all nursing staff in caring for the person with diabetes. Relevant sections of this learning area are highlighted throughout this resource.
In addition some other learning materials on specific aspects of care are also signposted in the relevant sections.
How do I find the information I need in this resource?
The resource is set out in the following sections, each of which signpost selected key resources which you can then check out. A few of the sections have sub-pages so, just to make the overall structure clearer, here is an outline in the order the sections appear in the left hand menu.
How this site is organised
Understanding diabetes
This signposts resources for understanding what diabetes is, how it can be prevented, how it is diagnosed.
National standards and guidance
This section sets out the national standards, frameworks, clinical guidelines and other national initiatives relevant to diabetes care for each of the four UK countries.
Diabetes management and treatment
This signposts selected general resources on management and treatment and includes a section on some of the issues that can arise in the care of people with diabetes who are in hospital. There are also sub-pages signposting key information and resources for different aspects of lifestyle that impact on diabetes management, and on medication for diabetes – both oral agents and insulin therapy.
Patient involvement
This section signposts useful resources to support the involvement of people with diabetes in planning care and managing their diabetes, decision making, and the informed patient. Sub-pages provide specific resources on Patient education, Patient information and Self- management and Patient stories.
Complication risks
General resources on what kinds of complications can arise with diabetes with two sub-pages on acute complications and chronic complications.
Specific contexts and populations
This introduces pages signposting resources on diabetes care for black and minority ethnic groups; children and young people; people with learning disabilities and older people. And diabetes care in palliative and end of life care; pregnancy; in the prison setting and in residential care settings.
Good practice examples
Highlights sites which provide case studies, blogs and encourage the sharing of examples.
Finding out more
Identifies special collections relevant to diabetes care and sources you can use to search for further information such as articles, systematic reviews and evidence digests, answers to clinical queries.
Professional development
Resources tailored for updating and developing skills and knowledge in diabetes care including , events, current awareness, CPD and networks.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following people for their input and advice on this resource:
Mags Bannister, Nurse Consultant in Diabetes Care, Bradford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, RCN Diabetes Nursing Forum committee
Amanda Cheesley, Long Terms Conditions Adviser, Royal College of Nursing
Louise Cox , Instructional Designer, writer of the forthcoming RCN Learning Zone area ‘Diabetes essentials’
Tanis Hand, Health Care Assistant Adviser, Royal College of Nursing
June James, Nurse Consultant in Diabetes, Patient Safety Advisor NHS Diabetes, Co-Chair Trend-UK