Diabetes self-management education and support courses are encouraged for everyone with type 1 diabetes. It does not matter how long you have been diagnosed.
The courses are free. Talk to your diabetes team about what's available through your diabetes service.
People who do a course have more stable blood glucose (sugar) levels and fewer health problems. Many people who have attended these courses describe them as life changing.
A course can help you:
- feel more confident about managing your diabetes
- get more in-target blood glucose levels
- get more skilled at managing your blood glucose levels
- be more flexible with your food and drink
Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) course
In a Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) course you learn how to count carbs and adjust insulin.
Learning these skills helps you to
- manage your diabetes
- lead a more flexible life
- reduce the risk of health problems linked to diabetes
DAFNE is a group education programme. You can do it online or face-to-face.
Face-to-face courses run for 5 days.
This could be either:
- 5 consecutive days
- 1 day per week for 5 weeks
Online DAFNE courses run over 5 weeks. They involve a mix of online learning with virtual group sessions.
DAFNE is available in over 20 diabetes centres in Ireland. Ask your diabetes if it is available near you.
Find a DAFNE coure - dafne.nhs.uk
Other videos about counting carbohydrates
If you cannot access a DAFNE course, there are online videos and courses that cover similar information.
You can watch them on your phone, tablet, desktop or laptop.
BERTIE is an online type 1 diabetes course - bertieonline.org.uk
Diabetes UK has a range of courses for people with type 1 diabetes - diabetes.org.uk
Courses about counting carbohydrates:
