Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians

After completing the Foundations course, students will explain how landmark trials drive practice in preventing possible complications via the “legacy effect.” This will demonstrate the impact this has on the person with diabetes through care delivery. Based on recent science, students will learn to identify the target numbers trifecta (glucose/A1C, blood pressure, lipids) to promote outcomes. They will be expected to measure the effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies of diabetes and its related conditions. This foundations course will create an understanding of the benefits of a weight-inclusive approach in diabetes management. Students are expected to demonstrate competence in using person-first, strengths-based, empowering language to enhance communication and enhance motivation, health, and well-being of people with diabetes.

The Inclusive Care & Special Populations course will allow students to distinguish at least five common barriers faced by vulnerable populations with diabetes and how clinical interventions mitigate these challenges and improve outcomes. Students will analyze how social determinants of health impact people with diabetes and differentiate treatment approaches for type 1 and 2 in youth. This includes what to teach families of newly diagnosed children and hospital guidelines for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Students will be able to name the 2 main differences in nutrition for pregnant women with diabetes and explain how low health literacy and food insecurity worsen outcomes. Students will also review the populations hit hardest by diabetes and how they can improve their experience with the healthcare system and their wellness.

The Pharmacotherapy course will allow students to differentiate the major medication classifications used for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia and their pathophysiologic target. Using case scenarios, students will identify strategies to optimize insulin, including basal, prandial, and correctional. The course will review at least 5 of the latest diabetes oral, inhalable, and injectable medications. The course also explains safety considerations of common classifications of medications used for hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and sexual dysfunction. Students will be able to name at least 1 anti-obesity medication used for type 2 diabetes management and remission and understand common dietary supplements used for diabetes and related conditions that many people take.

Diabetes Technology will identify types of diabetes technology used, from basic to continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pens and pumps, including “looping” or artificial pancreas systems. In this course, students will prepare an argument “for” and “against” using a particular diabetes device based on who would and would not be an ideal candidate for that technology. Then, students will formulate strategies to maximize engagement with diabetes technology. This is done by selecting, procuring, and educating on the right devices when given 3 case studies. Students will also learn about the latest diabetes wellness apps and how telehealth, text messages, and social media initiatives increase user engagement and self-care.

In the Diabetes Education and Wellness course, students will compare nutrition and physical activity approaches and recommend which style might be best. This course is designed for students to understand several different models for inpatient diabetes education and review several case studies on caring for people hospitalized with hyper or hypoglycemia. Students will select evidence-based approaches to facilitate behavior change in persons living with diabetes. Students will also evaluate the link between the emotional side of diabetes and self-care behavior. Students will be expected to describe how many hours of aerobic exercise can increase insulin sensitivity and what happens to those improvements in insulin action during overeating. Finally, students will learn how to communicate with encouraging feedback to a person living with diabetes.

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Course for Providers is a specialized program designed to equip physicians (MD), nurse practitioners (NP), and physician associates (PA) with the advanced knowledge, skills, and tools required to provide comprehensive and effective diabetes care. Taught by internationally-renowned diabetes experts and a diverse panel of multidisciplinary diabetes care and education specialists, this flexible, self-paced and asynchronous course offers an in-depth exploration of diabetes management, covering advanced concepts, emerging therapies, and personalized treatment strategies relevant to primary care practitioners. Upon completion of this course, in addition to earning a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific, learners will receive 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits? issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. For NPs and for PAs, the AANPCB and NCCPA respectively accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits?. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of UCSF and University of the Pacific's Benerd College. UCSF is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Course for Nurses is crafted to equip Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) with comprehensive insights into the latest treatment therapies and personalized strategies essential for delivering exceptional diabetes care. Led by internationally recognized diabetes experts and a diverse panel of multidisciplinary certified diabetes care and education specialists, this flexible, self-paced, and asynchronous course empowers learners with practical tools to apply standards of care effectively in their practice. Upon successful completion, in addition to earning 30 CE credits, this course will also provide learners with a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific that can be used to enhance any resume.

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Course for Pharmacists is designed to provide pharmacists with comprehensive insights into the latest treatment therapies and personalized strategies essential for delivering exceptional diabetes care. Led by internationally recognized diabetes experts and a diverse panel of multidisciplinary certified diabetes care and education specialists, including several PharmDs, this flexible, self-paced, and asynchronous course empowers learners with practical tools to effectively apply standards of care in their practice. Upon successful completion, participants will earn 30 CE credits and receive a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific, enhancing their resumes.

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Course for Registered Dietitians (RDs) is crafted to equip RDs with comprehensive insights into the latest treatment therapies and personalized strategies essential for delivering exceptional diabetes education and care. Led by internationally recognized diabetes experts and a diverse panel of multidisciplinary certified diabetes care and education specialists, including several Registered Dietitians, this flexible, self-paced, and asynchronous course empowers learners with practical tools to apply standards of care effectively in their practice. Upon successful completion, in addition to earning 30 CME credits, this course will also provide learners with a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific that can be used to enhance any resume. The Commission on Dietetic Registration accepts as continuing professional education those courses that meet the standard of relevance to Dietetic practice and have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ which this course does. Dietitian technicians also encouraged to apply.

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Course for Social Workers is tailored to provide Medical Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) with comprehensive insights into the latest treatment therapies and personalized strategies essential for delivering exceptional diabetes care, including insights on the application of behavioral health in diabetes self-care. Led by internationally recognized diabetes experts and a diverse panel of multidisciplinary certified diabetes care and education specialists, including psychologists, LCSWs, and MSWs, this flexible, self-paced, and asynchronous course empowers learners with practical tools to effectively apply standards of care in their practice. Upon successful completion, participants will earn 30 CE credits and receive a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific, enhancing their resumes.