Journal article
Co-design, development and early implementation of an interprofessional postgraduate diabetes education programme for allied health professionals
BMC medical education, Vol.First online, pp.1-39
24/08/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes represents a growing chronic health burden requiring sustained, personcentred self-management education and support. In Australia, national policy has identified an urgent need to expand the capacity of the whole healthcare workforce for diabetes care, yet education pathways explicitly designed for allied health professionals remain limited. This paper describes the development and early implementation of Australia’s first allied health-specific diabetes education qualification.
Methods: We used a co-design methodology to develop, accredit and implement an online diabetes education qualification for allied health professionals. The programme was co-designed with practising allied health professionals, credentialled diabetes educators and people living with diabetes, including First Nations representation. Development followed a design-based research approach informed by adult learning theory, experiential learning and interprofessional education. Data sources included expressions of interest, curriculum development records, accreditation documentation, and learning management system analytics.
Results: The qualification was developed and accredited between 2024 and 2025, with Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) accreditation granted in June 2025 and the inaugural subsidised intake delivered from late July to November 2025. Demand was substantial, with 738 expressions of interest (predominantly pharmacists, n=408, 55%) from all Australian states and territories, including approximately one-quarter from outside capital cities. Of 142 enrolled participants, 130 completed the programme (92% completion rate). Learning management system analytics indicated sustained engagement with written materials, video content and virtual placement resources. Synchronous tutorials attracted more than 80 students weekly, with facilitators reporting active learner participation. Some students seeking local placements encountered barriers, prompting the implementation of a centrally coordinated telehealth student clinic.
Conclusions: This co-designed, allied health-specific diabetes education program demonstrated feasibility and sustained learner engagement across a geographically diverse cohort. The programme offers a model for strengthening the capacity of the allied health workforce in diabetes education. Further research is needed to evaluate learner perceptions, assessment validity and longer-term impacts on professional practice and workforce outcomes.
Details
- Title
- Co-design, development and early implementation of an interprofessional postgraduate diabetes education programme for allied health professionals
- Creators
- Joon Soo Park - The University of Western AustraliaNicole Saxby - The University of Western AustraliaElise Hoyer - The University of Western AustraliaAnna Tien - The University of Western AustraliaEmma Polmear - The University of Western AustraliaDonna Wellins - The University of Western AustraliaGiuliana Murfet - University of TasmaniaDavid Hernandez - The University of Western AustraliaJamie Ly - The University of Western AustraliaPauline Xu - The University of Western AustraliaWilfred Tang - The University of Western AustraliaKirsten Turner - The University of Western AustraliaDeborah Hawthorne - The University of Western AustraliaCindy Tolba - The University of Western AustraliaAmanda Bryce - The University of Western AustraliaEmily Walker - The University of Western AustraliaEmma Engelke - The University of Western AustraliaGeorgia Bennett - The University of Western AustraliaKaren Eyles - The University of Western AustraliaKathryn Dunn - The University of Western AustraliaAtinuke Abrahams - The University of Western AustraliaTamika Page - The University of Western AustraliaTara Savage - The University of Western AustraliaXisco Reus Perello - The University of Western AustraliaCassandra Robertson - The University of Western AustraliaJoseph Carpini - The University of Western AustraliaLouise Naylor - The University of Western AustraliaJennifer Rojano - The University of Western AustraliaJeremy Page - The University of Western AustraliaNatalia Popowicz - The University of Western AustraliaLiza Seubert - The University of Western AustraliaRhonda Clifford - The University of Western AustraliaAmy Theresa Page - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- BMC medical education, Vol.First online, pp.1-39
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Identifiers
- 991013398019602368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article