X-PERT Insulin
X-PERT Insulin is suitable for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on any insulin regimen.
DAFNE is usually more suitable for people with type 1 diabetes who are on multiple daily injections.
X-PERT Insulin is held for 2.5 hours each week for six weeks. The course is run by a diabetes nurse and diabetes dietitian who have undergone additional training to run the programme.
Summary of the programme
You will learn about the up-to-date treatments and management of diabetes in an interactive, informative group environment.
Week 1: Diabetes, insulin and healthy living
What is diabetes, the role of insulin and the diabetes health profile, healthy living: eatwell plate and physical activity, what I am eating
Week 2: All about insulin
Insulin-specific challenges with self-managing diabetes, hypoglycaemia / hyperglycaemia – Ketoacidosis (DKA) & HONK, exploring insulin – onset, peak and duration, regimens and devices, my insulin injection technique
Week 3: Know your carbs
Identification of carbohydrate foods and drinks, carbohydrate counting – estimation, calculation and reading food labels, self-monitoring blood glucose, meters, frequency of testing technique and safe sharps disposal, My “what should I do?” scenarios
Week 4: Inspiration for insulin
Troubleshooting: strategies to take control, “Inspiration”: a game for insulin X-PERTs covering everyday scenarios, what troubleshooters may work for me? MATCH IT challenges
Week 5: MATCH IT – taking control
MATCH IT: My diary, my diabetes – A day in the life of..., a chance to learn and share, apply troubleshooters to MATCH IT challenges
Week 6: Are you an insulin X-PERT?
Game: MATCH IT 24/7 to challenge real “living with diabetes on insulin” situations, What did I learn from troubleshooting the MATCH IT challenges, The way forward
Can my friend or partner attend with me?
X-PERT Insulin may be more suitable for you if you wish to bring a friend or partner.
You are welcome to bring a friend or partner with you to any of the sessions. It is useful to let the course organisers know as some venues have restrictions on group size. Group sizes vary but you can expect to be in a group with approximately 10 - 12 participants.
Do you know the answers to these questions?
How much insulin should I take with my meals?
What is the difference between my HbA1c and my blood glucose level?
Have I got type 1 diabetes now that I am on insulin?
How long does my insulin work for after I injected it?
I go low everytime I do any exercise. How can I prevent this?
Can I still have meals out?
I am worried about passing out due to my diabetes.
If you don’t know the answer to these questions (or even if you do) - the X-PERT Insulin programme may be for you.
How can I attend an X-PERT Insulin course?
Your GP or practice nurse to refer you or you can contact your local diabetes centre for further information.
I have already attended an X-PERT Insulin course
If you have already attended an X-PERT Insulin 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 people living with diabetes.
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 your local diabetes centre to book a place.
Where and when are X-PERT Insulin courses held locally?
The diabetes team run courses in many different locations across the county. Courses are held in the mornings, the afternoons and occasionally in the evenings.
You will be given a selection of dates and venues to choose from.
Where can I find out more?
www.xperthealth.org.uk
Further information can be obtained from your GP surgery or your local Diabetes team.
