Inaugural Diabetes Masterclass 2019 a success
‘It’s about time to update our treatment of type 2 diabetes according to the latest evidence.’
This was one of the key messages of the inaugural ‘Diabetes is Changing Fast Masterclass 2019’, held at the Park Royal Hotel in Parramatta, on Saturday, November 9.
Hosted by Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) in partnership with Western Sydney PHN, Diabetes NSW & ACT, Blacktown Metabolic & Weight Loss Program, National Association of Diabetes Centres (NADC) and Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), the Masterclass was attended by more than 300 healthcare professionals keen to learn about current best practice type 2 diabetes management and prevention.
In addition to the 50-strong faculty of specialists, delegates included 121 General Practitioners, 46 Practice Nurses, 18 Pharmacists, 17 Diabetes Educators, 22 Allied Health professionals, Dentists, health managers and pharmaceutical company representatives.
Topics covered ranged from latest pharmacologic guidelines to managing glycaemic highs and lows during Ramadan, obesity and weight loss, foot screening and high risk foot management, injection techniques, the benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitors, gestational diabetes and managing diabetes distress.
All presentations were made available to delegates via the myINTERACT app.
The Masterclass also showcased the benefits of Joint GP and Specialist Case Conferences (JGPSCC), a resource to help western Sydney GPs stay up-to-date with type 2 diabetes management.
The JGPSCC program is delivered by WSD and is considered a national exemplar for models of diabetes care. Learn more about JGPSCC here.
WSD director, Prof Glen Maberly, said it was heartening to see so many General Practitioners and primary carers committed to tackling Western Sydney’s diabetes hotspot.
“People living in Western Sydney are twice as likely to be affected by diabetes or pre-diabetes, compared with those in northern or coastal suburbs,” said Prof Maberly.
“In order to tackle this diabetes epidemic, a wide-scale approach is needed — one which promotes early detection and prevention measures and which leads to better outcomes and less complications for people with diabetes.
“We thank our colleagues in healthcare for supporting this inaugural Masterclass and for their commitment to beating diabetes together.”
Hills Family General Practice clinician, Dr Emma Green chaired one of the Masterclass plenary sessions.
“It was a very valuable day for GPs to hear about how diabetes management is changing and how we can provide better support to our patients,” said Dr Green
“It was also beneficial to talk with other local GPs about some of the initiatives they are using at their practices to manage diabetes.”
Western Sydney Primary Health Network CEO, Ray Messom said patients in WSLHD will benefit as a direct result of the Masterclass.
“Western Sydney’s shared mission to beat diabetes together was clearly evident at this event,” said Mr Messom.
“The energy and buzz in the room to work collaboratively across disciplines and sectors was inspiring, as this will directly benefit patients across the catchment.”
GPs who attended the Diabetes is Changing Fast Masterclass 2019 were eligible to apply for 40 Category 1 QI & CPD points, as approved by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
WSD would like to thank the five partner organisations, 30 support staff, 50 faculty and myINTERACT app team for their dedication to delivering a successful Masterclass 2019.
Special thanks to the generosity of industry sponsors: AstraZeneca, BD, Lilly, MSD, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi for the contributions that helped make this event possible.
