Welcome and Introduction

A Look into Diabetes: The Myths and Facts

The perception of diabetes mellitus as a complex and life-limiting condition prevails, despite advances in research and innovations in treatment. Confusion amongst people with diabetes and healthcare professionals alike is compounded by a wealth of information, often editorial, that liberally interprets trends in diabetes into attractive ‘cures’. Here we examine common myths, reveal the facts and consider a future vision for people with diabetes. This session:

• Reviews the incidence and growth of diabetes from a local, regional and global perspective
• Identifies common diabetes myths and discussion of the evidence in relation to best practice
• Provides an overview of current evidence-based guidelines for the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Overviews new trends and treatments in diabetes management

Lifestyle and Health Literacy: The Psychosocial Effects of Diabetes

There is often a high degree of focus that goes towards understanding and preventing the clinical complications of diabetes. However, less focus is placed on the psychological impacts of a diabetes diagnosis and the long-term changes to a person’s life thereafter. This session will look at a holistic approach to diabetes and its life-changing impact on a person. It includes:

• What common psychological impacts does diabetes have on someone?
• Who is more vulnerable to this?
• How can we improve our support for those living with diabetes?

Understanding Insulin Therapy

Insulin therapy is prescribed for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, depending on insulin production or resistance to insulin. This everyday medicine is not ‘one size fits all’ and individualisation of therapy is vital for optimal glycaemic outcomes. In this session, we will consider:

• Who needs insulin and why?
• What are the different types of insulin currently available?
• What education can we provide to patients for appropriate insulin administration?
• What is the nurses’ role and responsibility when administering insulin?

Delirium: Myths and Facts

Delirium is an acute and severe change in mental state, and it is also a sign of deterioration. This session will discuss a condition that is commonly mistaken for other mental health symptoms. It includes:

• A definition of delirium
• The types of delirium
• Non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of delirium
• Interdisciplinary roles

Navigating the Waves of Deprescribing

Medications are designed to treat, but sometimes they may cause harm instead. In these cases, deprescribing is utilised in order to safely reduce medications. This session includes:

• Understanding deprescribing
• Stakeholders in deprescribing
• Methodologies in deprescribing
• Enablers and barriers of deprescribing

Welcome and Review

Let’s Have a Heart to Heart About Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term used for a variety of conditions that relate to the cardiovascular system. Recent media coverage has made it abundantly clear that our risk of cardiovascular disease is rapidly increasing in the community. This session will look at:

• What is cardiovascular disease, and who is at risk?
• Why are trends increasing?
• What exacerbates these conditions?
• How can it be prevented or managed?

A Road to Recovery: The Role of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a key extension of the care and support a person requires following hospitalisation for a cardiac event. Understanding how cardiac rehabilitation assists people, what is involved and how patients can benefit from it can ensure nurses are able to provide education and prepare patients. This session focuses on:

• What is ‘secondary prevention’?
• How does cardiac rehabilitation promote recovery from a cardiovascular event?
• What are the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation?
• How can nurses answer key questions and prepare patients for this?

Psychosis: Mental Illness, Drug-Induced or Something Else?

When people who appear psychotic come into our care, we tend to presume it’s due to mental illness or drug-induced. But what if it’s not? This session will explore some of the other reasons people present as psychotic and how something as simple a blood test can reveal the hidden truth. It includes:

• What is psychosis?
• How can we understand delusions and hallucinations?
• Why so much paranoia?
• What else can lead to a person becoming psychotic?

Saints and Sinners: Healthcare Professionals and Addictions

The TV show Nurse Jackie showed us a healthcare professional with an addiction to prescription medication. Though people have complained about it, it highlights an issue that affects nurses and other healthcare professionals worldwide. This session will explore:

• What are the reasons why some healthcare professionals become addicted to prescription medication, alcohol and/or other drugs?
• Are there any challenges faced by healthcare professionals who want to seek treatment for these addictions?
• How can we help our colleagues who may be addicted to prescription medication, alcohol and/or other drugs?

Diabetes and Diabetes Emergencies: Essentials for All Nurses

Diabetes emergencies can occur for a range of reasons, cause a great deal of anxiety and may be life-threatening. In this session, you will learn about current best-practice nursing care for common diabetes-related emergencies. It includes:

• What are diabetes emergencies, including what to watch for and how to respond
• Care of diabetes-related emergencies in the hospital and other settings
• An update on the most common medications used to treat these conditions

Managing Diabetes Pre and Postoperatively

Surgical and investigative interventions for people with diabetes can disrupt glycaemic control and contribute to delayed healing and increased morbidity and length of stay. This session will consider the perioperative management of diabetes, including:

• Risks associated with surgery for people with diabetes
• Differences in the perioperative management of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Oral glucose-lowering medicines and non-insulin injectables
• Insulin therapy
• Acute complications post-surgery
• Discharge planning – identifying those at risk of poor outcomes and how to support them