If you have recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in Ayrshire & Arran you will complete the STEP structure education programme
What is STEP?
The Scottish Type 1 Education Programme (STEP) aims to provide in-depth, structured education for individuals newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Aiming to provide information as well as gaining confidence to independently manage their diabetes.
Where?
Your STEP appointments will be delivered face to face at University Hospital Crosshouse.
Expectations
Insulin Start Education
- What is Type 1 Diabetes and why we need insulin
- Blood Glucose Monitoring and Target Blood Glucose levels
- Insulin choice and storage
- How to safely administer insulin
- When to take your insulin and how much
- Hypoglycaemia
- Driving
- How to contact your Diabetes Team
- Ongoing support and Education Appointments
Week 1 – Wednesday
- Diabetes Specialist Nurse
- Recap and confirm understanding of initial Insulin Start Education
- Discuss any fears or anxiety regarding your diagnosis
- Actions of Insulin
- Ordering a repeat prescription
Week 1 – Thursday
- Diabetes Dietitian
- How different food groups impact on your blood glucose levels
- Food labels
- How to identify a carbohydrate
- Explain how matching your dose of insulin will help manage blood glucose levels
- Keeping a food and drinks diary
- Carbohydrate counting and introduction to Insulin to Carbohydrate Ratios
- Discuss any questions or concerns
Week 1 – Friday
- Diabetes Specialist Nurse
- Discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycaemia
- Discuss the effect of alcohol, exercise, hot weather and lumpy injection sites on blood glucose results
- Discuss how to manage high blood glucose levels
- What are ketones, when to monitor, Ketone interpretation and management
- Freestyle Libre
- Discuss any questions or concerns
Week 2 – Tuesday
- Diabetes Dietitian
- Re-discuss what is a carbohydrate
- Review how food has effected your blood glucose levels
- Discuss your insulin to carbohydrate ratio
- How to adjust insulin with food
- Reflecting on your food diary
- Discuss any questions or concerns
Week 3 – Tuesday
- Diabetes Dietitian
- Re-cap information on carbohydrates
- Reflecting on your food diary, we may advise on changes
- Review carbohydrate counting
- Healthy eating
- Discuss the effect of exercise on blood glucose, and how to adjust insulin for physical activity
- Discuss any questions or concerns
Week 4 – Friday
- Diabetes Specialist Nurse
- Recap Blood Glucose Targets
- How your insulin works
- Insulin adjustment
- Hypoglycaemia
- Alcohol and Activity
- Travel advice and weather
- Injection technique
- What to do if you are unwell
- Discuss any questions or concerns
- Future follow up