OpenLearn Create opens up training to the world for DAFNE

Success story: DAFNE

Summary:

  • Partner: Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE)
  • Sector: Public sector, NHS
  • Challenges: Travelling to deliver training to people who are in countries across the world
  • Solution: Bespoke training programme via The Open University (OU) OpenLearn Create platform
  • Outcome: Online learning for healthcare professionals leads to improvement in quality of life for people living with diabetes

Background: Training to improve lives for diabetics

To help people who are living with Type 1 diabetes lead as much of a normal life as possible, a number of DAFNE training centres were created, off the back of some pioneering NHS research.

These allow healthcare professionals to access a structured education programme and then use this learning to educate diabetics, so they can better self-manage their condition.

In 2018, the challenge was set to the OU - “Could you take our face-to-face content and put it online?”.

DAFNE is a structured education programme, we provide training to clinical teams (including nurses, dieticians and doctors) to form DAFNE centres. These centres then educate and support people with diabetes under their care, giving them the required tools to manage their diabetes.

Becky Hedgcock,
National DAFNE Operations Manager

The perfect combination of online and in-person training

The challenge was accepted by the OU, who worked with the original NHS Trust behind DAFNE to develop a series of online learning programmes.

Using the OpenLearn Create platform, staff can engage with the course content from anywhere in the world. This can then be combined with other face-to-face sessions at DAFNE centres if required.

The secure login functionality on the platform means that only the defined group of people can access it.

And the DAFNE operations team are able to have access to learner data, including results and statistics.

We brought our learning designer into the conversation. The course was really well designed and it was fantastic working with the DAFNE team to turn a face-to-face course into a deep piece of online learning for both clinicians and patients using technologies such as XML and Articulate 360.

Mike Stock,
LDS Senior Project Manager, The Open University

Back to top

Conclusion: Growth and expansion leads to significant health improvements

With more than 1,500 nurses and dieticians, plus 1,300 doctors having been trained in the DAFNE programme, there has been data to show those diabetics who have then been educated by the healthcare professionals have seen significant improvements to their lives.

The flexibility of the online training programme means that expansion for DAFNE can happen in a much easier and cost-effective way.

We don’t need to fly abroad to train overseas teams as our resources and training is available online and remotely.There are centres in Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait and licenses in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, so DAFNE interest is really building worldwide.

Becky Hedgcock
National DAFNE Operations Manager

Let's solve your skills challenge together

The Open University has a dedicated team of employer and partnership managers who can work with you to upskill and reskill your teams via a range of courses and programmes.

Whether you are a new business or an established employer, our team has a wealth of sector expertise and experience and can link you with our wider academic community to help to solve your organisation's challenges.

Get in touch

Back to top

Back to top