16 November 2009

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Diabetes TASMANIA are today launching a new educational DVD aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, which addresses medicines use issues.

The DVD is designed to be used by health professionals and community organisations when discussing the management of type 2 diabetes with newly diagnosed patients.  

“The theme of World Diabetes Day (14 November) was education and prevention, which are at the heart of diabetes management,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

“Education relates not only to understanding diabetes and how to prevent it, but also how to manage the condition. The medicines use issues associated with managing type 2 diabetes and related conditions can be complex and are unlikely to be fully absorbed by a patient during a consultation.”

The DVD comprises 11 segments which cover issues including the types of medicines used to manage type 2 diabetes, the best ways to manage medicines, and what patients should discuss with their healthcare providers. It is also being produced in Cantonese, Mandarin and German as there is a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes within these ethno-specific groups in Australia.

Diabetes TASMANIA’s CEO, Caroline Wells, said there is a need for high quality information that is easy to understand and available to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“Type 2 diabetes is one of the fast-growing chronic illnesses in Australia – its prevalence is expected to nearly double over the next 40 years, but there has been a lack of educational resources that focus on medicines use issues,” Ms Wells said.

The 11 segments have also been made available at www.nps.org.au/type2diabetes and www.diabetestas.com.au.

“While the online videos are not a substitute for conversations between the patient and their healthcare providers, they complement the information provided by doctors and pharmacists, and can be viewed at someone’s leisure in the comfort of their home,” Ms Wells said.

To order the DVD phone Diabetes TASMANIA on 03 6215 9000.

Brochures promoting the DVD and online segments will be made available to doctors and NDSS-pharmacies shortly.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.