Use this resource to develop your fundamental knowledge of diabetes mellitus in adults in order to promote safe, competent and compassionate care for people living with diabetes.

• Diabetes essentials
• Introduction
• Target audience
• Core concepts about diabetes

This section looks at the different types of diabetes and how it can affect different age groups and stages in life.

• Types of diabetes
• Type 1
• Type 2 diabetes
• Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia
• Diabetes and pregnancy
• Children and diabetes
• Rare forms of diabetes

This section explores the signs and symptoms to look out for and the tests that can be used when diagnosing diabetes.

• Diagnosis of diabetes
• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnostic tests
• Understanding your type of diabetes

This section looks at the different aspects of preventing, treating and managing diabetes.

• Prevention treatment and self-management
• Prevention
• Treatment and self-management
• Lifestyle and nutrition
• Education
• Medication
• Wellbeing, mental health and self-management
• Insulin therapies

This section looks at testing and monitoring blood glucose levels.

• Testing and monitoring
• Importance of monitoring
• Blood glucose
• Ketones
• Annual review
• Screening
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring

This section looks at managing short term and long term diabetes complications.

• Diabetes complications
• Short term complications
• Long term complications

This section looks at how to manage diabetes when feeling unwell.

• Diabetes and acute illness
• Sick day rules
• COVID - 19 and diabetes management

This section looks at the roles and responsibilities of nursing staff and multi-disciplinary teams when caring for people with diabetes.

• Healthcare professionals roles and responsibilities
• Healthcare professionals – roles and responsibilities
• Multidisciplinary teams
• Diabetes and sustainability

This section contains three case studies providing examples of the treatment and management of diabetes.

• Case studies
• Case study 1
• Case study 2
• Case study 3

This section will signpost you to RCN resources, guidance and further resources on diabetes.

• Resources
• RCN resources
• Guidance
• Further resources
• Related articles
• Reflection
• Project team