Masterclass Australian Diabetes Society and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association Annual Scientific Meeting 2016

Improving Diabetes Care of People with Intellectual Disability (#72)

Jayne A. Lehmann RN CDE 1 , Gary Wittert 2 , Anne Marks RN NP CDE 3
  1. EdHealth Australia, Highgate, SA, Australia
  2. Discipline of Medicine; Freemason's Foundation Centre for Men's Health, University of Adelaide , Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia

Aim: To improve health outcomes of people with diabetes and an intellectual disability (ID)

Learning objectives:

  1. Identify reasons for high risk of diabetes in PWDID

  2. Identify co-morbidities and issues that require consideration providing health care to PWDID

  3. Understand challenges and opportunities of intensive insulin therapy in PWDID

  4. Explore resources and strategies to include PWDID in their care

  5.  State expected impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

Content outline:  The NDIS begins in 2016 and funding for diabetes care will not be included, increasing pressure on  health services to ensure they are accessible to people with diabetes and disability (PWDID).

Professor Gary Wittert and CDEs Anne Marks and Jayne Lehmann will present a Masterclass on improving health outcomes in PWDID. The evidence, clinical expertise, knowledge and resources  presented will show how the presenters have increased accessibility to their diabetes services and supported person-centred diabetes care to PWDID with support workers as the predominant workforce.

Jayne Lehmann will present a 2014 systematic literature review and her clinical experience providing a diabetes clinic for PWDID in South Australia (SA). Resources that educate and support PWDID will increase confidence and capacity of participants to address the unique needs of this high risk target group. The challenges posed by non health professional support workers will be explored.

Professor Gary Wittert will draw on his experience providing a clinical service to people with Prader-Willi Syndrome in SA. Co-morbidities like obesity, poor nutrition, limitations on exercise capacity, use of anti-psychotics, syndrome associated conditions and sleep-disordered breathing will be explored.

CDE Anne Marks will present a case study highlighting the diabetes education needs of a young boy with moderate/severe ID and Down Syndrome using intensive insulin therapy. Injections and pump therapy will be covered and Anne’s care planning and support to the individual’s school and respite workers.