Nadhirah Binti Mohd Khir, a Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, is a graduate of the IMU Postgraduate
Diploma in Diabetes
Management and
Education. Diabetes is a serious problem that affects one in every six Malaysian adults. With a steady increase in the number of people diagnosed with diabetes, this complex lifestyle disease is here to stay. “I have had diabetes for a long-time. I want to optimise my condition. Sometimes though, my health takes a back seat when the pressure of life builds up,” said Madam L, a 55-year-old who has been living with diabetes for 15 years.
To manage their health, people living with diabetes must navigate self-management decisions and activities on a daily basis. Today, more and more patients look for support from healthcare providers who are trained in this area. Diabetes Educators are specialists in diabetes who have completed further study to focus their efforts on helping people with diabetes self-manage their diabetes effectively and prevent complications. Upskilling in diabetes management and education can give healthcare providers that niche for a more successful healthcare practice.
As a Diabetes Educator working for the Malaysian Government, Grace Toh who is also a nurse, believes in the value of upskilling in this area with a postgraduate qualification.
She said, “Some healthcare providers may already have certificate level training in diabetes management. Taking a postgraduate qualification in this area is a good top-up for the specialised care needed in diabetes management. You never know your capabilities until you test them. Continuing your education supports the ‘testing and retesting’ needed to improve the care we provide.”
By taking a postgraduate degree in Diabetes Management and Education at the International Medical University (IMU), Grace has learnt to integrate input from different disciplines to better address the psychosocial needs of her patients who live with diabetes.
Nadhirah Binti Mohd Khir (featured in the main photo) who is a Dietitian and Diabetes Educator with a private hospital also took the same postgraduate qualification as Grace. “I took this qualification to upgrade my career. Now, my understanding of the management of diabetes is deeper. Most importantly, I have the practical knowledge to help my patient manage diabetes effectively,” reflected Nadhirah.
Wong Soh San who is a Diabetes Educator with a private chain of hospitals further adds that obtaining her postgraduate qualification in this area has given her the skills to become a reflective practitioner.
“I am able to recognise my gaps and strengths as a practitioner and engage in a process of continuous learning to improve my clinical skills,” Soh San said.
For Soh San, improving her patient care skills in diabetes management has increased her referrals from doctors and her visibility as a go-to resource in this specialised area. “Recently, I received an invitation to speak on diabetes care at a nursing school to nursing students at a workshop,” she enthused.
Nah Ying Wa, a retail pharmacist, continued her training as a Diabetes Educator to improve the quality of care that her customers receive. Diverse people go to their local pharmacy for their health needs. “Before qualifying as a Diabetes Educator, I would mainly provide care in relation to medication issues when customers come to me. Now, I can provide a comprehensive care plan that addresses my customer’s individual needs,” remarked Ying Wa.
When asked if getting a postgraduate degree in diabetes care is worthwhile, Nadhirah replied by saying “Specialising in this area is worth the investment of my time and money as I can develop my career to the next level as a dietitian who specialises in managing diabetes.”
| Path to Upskilling as a Diabetes Educator |
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| Working adults in the health-care sectors or fresh graduates with a keen interest in diabetes education have the opportunity upskill with a postgraduate degree at the IMU by either taking the conventional learning pathway with classes at the university campus, or the 100% online learning experience via Open Distance Learning. Designed to suit working adults, this programme incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes care in a blended learning model that includes both online and in-person learning. This delivery allows the student to make meaningful connections with the different healthcare disciplines involved in diabetes care. |
Related article: Diabetes Educator Leads Quality Improvement at a Private Hospital
