Simulated Diabetic Clinic: Educating novice health professionals to prevent and treat diabetes

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) there is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increase in obesity and physical inactivity.Educating and Inculcating the importance of prevention, early detection and management of this silent killer in our future doctors is of prime importance.

The Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare (CASH)  conducted a hands on training  workshop:”Simulated  Diabetic Clinic” with zones dedicated to simulate  Primary Healthcare screening rooms, Diabetic Wellness Clinic for Diet and Life style counseling and  Diagnosis and Management Clinics.

Dr .Mohammad Sobhy, Specialist Surgeon and Lecturer ,GMC Hospital, Ajman ; facilitated the skills development session on Diabetic patient examination with primary focus on Diabetic foot on the high fidelity patient simulator where the patient was in the in-patient simulated ward set up , he was a  38 year old chronic uncontrolled diabetic with advanced arterial disease and neuropathy resulting in a large infected foot ulcer on the right foot.

Ms.Saumya Mishra, assistant dietician,  GMC Hospital facilitated small group interactive talk and discussion about Diabetic Diet and Lifestyle modifications with the students.

Mr.Iselle  and Mr.Abboobakker,  Nursing Skills tutor; demonstrated Glucometer Testing and Insulin Administration techniques to the students in the Mock Laboratory and OPD clinic with opportunity to practice and perform the skill under supervision on the simulators.

The post workshop feedback and assessment of student understanding and learning was facilitated by Dr.Erum Khan , Simulation Instructor, CASH.The Take Home message at the end of the day was emphasis on the importance of the prevention and early detection of this silent killer.

The session received a positive feedback on teaching learning aspects from the students.