DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating)

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For people with type 1 diabetes, DAFNE consists of a half-day virtual group session for six weeks with about four to six hours of online learning to complete each week between the sessions.

DAFNE involves a lot of learning through practice and sharing experiences with the group. You will gain confidence to adjust your quick acting insulin according to your carbohydrate intake.  During the week there is the opportunity to gain a lot of practical skills relating to carbohydrate counting and insulin dose adjustment. In addition there are sessions covering all aspects of diabetes including insulin action and injection technique, blood glucose monitoring, management of hypoglycaemia and illness, travel and driving, physical activity and goal setting.

The DAFNE approach involves testing blood glucose before each meal and calculating quick acting insulin doses according to your blood glucose level and carbohydrate intake. It is an intensive yet flexible approach. If you are unsure if this approach is right for you please contact us for further information. X-PERT Insulin is an alternative option for people who feel they cannot commit to the DAFNE approach.

Each DAFNE course is run by two trained DAFNE educators one of whom is a Diabetes Specialist Nurse and the other being a Specialist Diabetes Dietitian. A DAFNE trained Doctor also participates in the course.

FAQs

  • Can my friend or partner attend with me?

    You are welcome to have a friend or partner join you for any of the virtual sessions, we actively encourage this for the sessions on hypos and illness.

  • How can I attend a DAFNE course?

    Your GP or diabetes team can refer you to DAFNE. The DAFNE team will then contact you to discuss your availability to attend the course.

  • I have already attended a DAFNE course

    If you have already attended a DAFNE course it can be helpful to attend a refresher session approximately once a year. This helps to refresh some topics and keep up to date with any developments. It is also a good way to keep up your motivation and keep in touch with other DAFNE graduates. 
     
    Annual refresher sessions are available at venues across the county. You do not need to attend at the same location as your original course. Please contact the team on wah-tr.worcsdiabetesed@nhs.net to book a place. Dates will be sent out via e’mail to all DAFNE graduates on our database. If you attended a DAFNE course elsewhere but are now registered with a Worcestershire GP please contact us to be added to our database.

  • My GP is not within Worcestershire

    If your GP is not within Worcestershire ask them what education they offer for people with type 1 diabetes. You may be able to access DAFNE or a similar programme in your local area. In the future we hope to be able to provide DAFNE to patients from the counties surrounding Worcestershire, especially if you receive your diabetes care from one of the Worcestershire Diabetes Consultants.

  • What topics are covered by DAFNE?
    • Carbohydrate counting 
    • Learning my ratio of quick acting insulin needed for my carbs 
    • The dose adjustment sessions where we shared our results with the group and assessed any changes that need to be made 
    • Adjustments for exercise
    • Learning how to adjust my insulin when I’m unwell
    • Understanding what happens through pregnancy and what to expect
    • Hypo advice 
    • The effect of alcohol on blood glucose levels 
    • Going to restaurant and working out the carbohydrate content
    • The fact you can eat anything
    • Having a carbohydrate free meal to test out the background insulin 
    • Working in a group: I found the stimulus of working in a group helpful as it prompted much discussion and exploration. 
    • The explanations of how diabetes works, including pancreas, insulin in blood, release of glucose from liver, effect of exercise. 
    • The doctor session answered a lot of little thoughts and feelings I’d had previously.
  • Where and when are DAFNE courses held locally?

    Courses are run virtually, you will be given a choice of dates and times including Saturdays.

  • Where can I find out more?

    Website: www.dafne.uk.com 
     
    Twitter: @DAFNEUK 
     
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/UKDAFNE 
     
    YouTube: www.youtube.com  
     
    For more information, please contact the team on wah-tr.worcsdiabetesed@nhs.net

DAFNE Online

www.dafneonline.co.uk is a good source of peer support and downloadable resources and apps such as your workbook and CP guide. You need a code to access this website. If you have attended a DAFNE course in Worcestershire please contact us if you require another code.

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