The Queensland Statewide Diabetes Clinical Network gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) project conducted service mapping of all public health facilities (N=41) providing care for women diagnosed with GDM. It was identified that services were overburdened and there were limited educational opportunities and resources to provide education to health care professionals caring for women diagnosed with GDM. The introduction of the new diagnostic criteria for GDM and development of a statewide clinical guideline for GDM contributed to an increase in workloads and services required.
A GDM eLearning series consisting of 12 modules has been developed to enhance education for health professionals. An expert multidisciplinary advisory group was formed to ensure content was relevant and evidence informed. A pre and post knowledge assessment has been incorporated in the eLearning series to measure confidence and competence. The series includes modules about testing and diagnosing GDM, dietary managment, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, pharmacology, antenatal, peripartum, intrapartum and post partum care as well as divers case histories.
It is anticipated the series will take six hours to complete. eLearning is a cost effective means for organisations to deliver essential education to health care professionals and aims to be flexible, engaging, learner-focused and interactive.