Endocrine Abstracts

Aim and Objectives: To enhance and increase the capacity for diabetes knowledge in schools through the organization of a medical needs conference and the development of a series of educational video materials, thereby reducing the need for individual school visits by the Diabetes MDT.

Method: Teachers responsible for medical needs were contacted directly through the Local Authority (LA) Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinators (SENDCO) forums and invited to a conference held in the Atrium of the Royal Free Hospital. The content included carbohydrate counting, correction dosing, the use of glucose monitors, insulin pump management, and the treatment and awareness of hypoglycaemic events. This was followed in the afternoon by hands-on demonstrations as part of a carousel of activities and a plenary session where questions could be answered by a specialist panel. Additionally, a set of videos was developed and promoted to schools, along with invitations to online drop-in sessions for further questions and to check understanding. This allowed school staff to grasp key concepts of diabetes management at their own pace and reduced travel time for the Diabetes MDT.

Results: The conference successfully trained 43 school staff, significantly increasing the number of individuals with knowledge about diabetes within schools. Feedback indicated that participants felt more confident in their ability to assist students with diabetes and found the additional contact with the Diabetes MDT beneficial. Furthermore, the video forum served as a valuable option for discussion, with schools reporting increased participation and understanding of diabetes.

Conclusion: A group-based approach to diabetes education for schools was an effective way to educate and inform a large number of schools simultaneously. By hosting a conference and providing access to video resources, we efficiently educated a larger audience, thereby enhancing the overall support system for students with diabetes. This model not only saves time and resources but also fosters a collaborative environment among schools and provides a forum to discuss best practices and shared experiences.