The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine has launched two new online short courses on diabetic foot and metabolic surgery.
The rate of diabetes is rising. Worldwide, people live with this life-changing condition and its long-term complications. And yet, with improved awareness and understanding, healthcare professionals can be armed with life-changing treatments and solutions, allowing them to provide better care. This knowledge can be developed through our new online short courses.
The Department of Diabetes in the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King's College London is pleased to announce the launch of its first two online short courses – King's Diabetic Foot: Principles & Practice and Metabolic Surgery: Principles & Practice, which complement the newly reconfigured Diabetes: Clinical Care and Management master's programme.
King's Diabetic Foot: Principles & Practice helps students comprehend the screening and management of diabetic foot disease and explore life-changing strategies for preventing lower limb loss and other foot complications.
Metabolic Surgery: Principles & Practice investigates the safe and cost-effective procedure of metabolic surgery. Students will learn the clinical rationale behind its use and understand how to navigate patients through the barriers and benefits of the treatment.
Who teaches the courses?
Pioneers in the treatment of diabetes, King's was the first university in the world to create a position of Professor of Metabolic Surgery. We have close ties to King's College Hospital, whose Foot Clinic was the first in the world to introduce a multidisciplinary approach to foot care – a standard adopted by the World Health Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation. Our academics are practising clinicians and renowned experts in their fields.
Dr Nina Petrova and Professor Michael Edmonds will provide students with a deep understanding of the complexities behind Diabetic Foot. Professor Francesco Rubino, the first Professor of Metabolic Surgery, along with Professor Barbara McGowan, will share their knowledge in the field of Metabolic Surgery for type 2 diabetes and obesity management.
The most rewarding aspect of my job - the one that very often "makes my day" - is to see the happiness in the eyes (and often in the words) of patients who, post-surgery, no longer have to struggle with diabetes or with excess weight. They gain a renewed sense of hope and optimism, allowing them to look to the future."– Professor Francesco Rubino, Module Lead for Metabolic Surgery: Principles & Practice
How are the courses structured?
Both short courses offer a 6-week unassessed route and an 8-week assessed route designed to help students build awareness and knowledge of treatment and solutions for those living with diabetes.
Our Diabetic Foot course is structured around content on the prevention strategies, assessment and management of diabetic foot disease. It offers students insights into the running and procedures of a foot clinic using visually rich resources, including videos and images taken in clinic featuring patients from King's College Hospital.
Meanwhile, our Metabolic Surgery course is structured around content on the biological and clinical rationale behind the use of gastrointestinal surgery as an intentional treatment of diabetes. This will help students develop an understanding of the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of metabolic surgery and the use of multi-modality therapies that integrate lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and metabolic surgical procedures for optimisation of outcomes.
Who are the courses for?
Both courses are relevant for:
- A variety of professionals who are involved in the treatment of people with diabetes.
- Those who directly care for people living with diabetes, including doctors, nurses, podiatrists, orthotists and surgeons.
- Researchers with an interest in Diabetic Foot or Metabolic Surgery who want to deepen their expertise.
Students don't need any previous knowledge of Diabetic Foot or Metabolic Surgery, however, it's expected that they work in a relevant field, such as healthcare, as the course is not suitable for those with a personal interest in either area.
When does it start?
These courses are taught 100% online, meaning students can complete them and upskill themselves alongside other work and life commitments. Applications are now open for the next two intakes for both courses, allowing students to study when it suits them best.
To find out more about these programmes, explore our Diabetic Foot: Principles & Practice and Metabolic Surgery: Principles & Practice course pages
