DOR Report_2010 - Diabetes Outreach

Executive Summary
Diabetes Outreach is a Country Health SA (CHSA), SA Health program that provides initial and continuing
professional education and support for health care providers in rural and remote South Australia. In 2010,
Diabetes Outreach continued to implement the outcomes of the 2009 Country Health SA survey of Diabetes
Outreach users with the aim of continuing to build local capacity and service integration.
Through its clinical leadership, education programs and models for clinical support, Diabetes Outreach
continues to focus on building the capacity of all country health services to offer a safe and basic level of
diabetes information, education and care. In addition the general hospitals and larger community hospitals
as identified by Country Health SA offer a more specialist level of education and care. Shared care options
are supported to facilitate the best care as close as possible to where the person lives. A seamless patient
journey is integral to this model.
The report highlights the key outcomes for 2010 and proposed activities in 2011. These activities aim to
support access for all people with all types of diabetes to education and care services that are consistent and
based on best practice. The report also demonstrates the continued evolutionary process for supporting
increased capacity of the general hospitals and larger community hospitals to provide specialist diabetes
education and care while integrating with general practice to support primary care.
Highlights of 2010
> Interdisciplinary workshop days held in 4 main centres (Riverland, Pt Lincoln, Whyalla / Pt Augusta and Mt
Gambier).
> 592 rural and remote health professionals accessed the face-to-face regional education series in
their local area. An increase of nearly 200 (30%) on 2009.
> 45 of the above participants were Aboriginal health workers or health professionals working in an
Aboriginal health service.
> Introduction to Diabetes course that was offered via audio conferences
> 23 Aboriginal health workers took part in a new series that was developed and offered for the first
time in 2010.
> 14 health professionals undertook the course that was aimed specifically at nurses and allied
health.
> Advanced Continuing Education Program was offered monthly via video conferencing. The program
registered 317 attendances over the course of the year.
> The Country Health SA Diabetes Network continued to meet monthly via teleconference and a 2 day face to
face workshop was held in July. Of the 20 members 18 were able to attend and participate in the workshop.
> Implemented an education program for use by diabetes educators to support best practice in individual or
group self management education (Diabetes Self Care Program). Diabetes Australia-Queensland has sought
permission to use the program.
> Research investigating current diabetes educator network activities in the 11 rural clusters and report
forwarded to CHSA.
> 122 Diabetes Manuals were distributed.
> 59 Diabetes Education Update workbooks for registered nurses were distributed (3 times the number
distributed in 2009). This workbook has been reviewed and updated. Renamed Diabetes Fundamentals and
will be available as an online module.
> Diabetes Management Portfolio reviewed & updated.
> Review of factsheets continues.
> 52 SA country health services accessed resources via the website.
> 1136 subscribers to the Diabetes Network News, including 70 Aboriginal health workers.
Diabetes Outreach Report 2010
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