DESMOND

[Deborah Cunliffe]

Not sure if this is a discussion, but I'd like to introduce DESMOND. DESMOND or diabetes education self-management for newly diagnosed and ongoing in type two diabetes, is an evidence based self-management program that has been subject to rigorous RCT's in the UK and has recently arrived on the North Island of NZ via Australia, having been run at Well South for a couple of years.  Following HCP training late last year the program has now been rolled out in the WBOP, Lakes, Rotorua and Hauraki DHB areas

The DESMOND program is the only evidence based education program in Australia and New Zealand that emphasizes that, for the person with type two diabetes, the most valuable health resource is themselves.  There is evidence to show that better self-management of diabetes can result in significant and sustained weight loss, increased physical activity and improved general well-being (BMJ 26 April 2012).

Having run a number of programs in the WBOP we have seen some amazing results as participants suddenly make sense of all the information they have ever received about their type two diabetes and make an action plan to share with their GP and Practice Nurses

Having worked on other diabetes self-management courses where access and delivery is variable, I can highly recommend DESMOND. Its structure allows for an efficient and cost effective way of improving outcomes and is a key part of DSM when linked with collaborative care planning.

DESMOND has a structured curriculum, trained educators who are also registered HCP's, is quality assured and audited to ensure delivery is reliable and effective

If you would like more information about DESMOND please feel free to contact me on 07 5713422 

[Pat Flanagan]

Hi Deborah, thanks for sharing this information and good to know that you are finding DESMOND to be a successful intervention. There are several DM SME programmes running in NZ and it would be good to hear from others who have had success with some of these. 

I would like to know - what aspects of DESMOND, in particular do you think set it apart from other programmes with similar goals, structured curriculum etc.?