The DAFNE (dose adjustment for normal eating) program aims to enable individuals with Type 1 diabetes the ability to have a flexible lifestyle. By using equations, patients can adapt insulin doses appropriate to lifestyle choices to ensure more predictable blood glucose levels, giving the individual a greater sense of personal control.

What is it?

Through practical learning, the DAFNE program encourages individuals to become activated self managers, building on their own experience and expertise within the skills and guidance that the DAFNE principles provide. The program is designed for adults with Type 1 diabetes and involves attending a 5 day structured training course facilitated by DAFNE trained diabetes educators and dietitians. Topics include:

• carbohydrate estimation
• insulin adjustment
• blood glucose monitoring
• hypos
• illness and exercise under the supervision of DAFNE trained diabetes educators and dietitians

Who should attend?

To participate in DAFNE you need to:

• Have had type 1 diabetes for at least six months (and/or post your ‘honeymoon’ period)
• Be over 17 years of age
• Not on a pump
• Motivated to improve your diabetes control
• Willing to inject and test blood glucose levels up to five times per day
• Able to attend all five days of the program from 9am to 5pm
• Take one or two injections of long acting insulin each day and quick acting insulin each time you eat
• Able to speak/understand/read English

Where and when?

The next course will be run from Monday Oct 26th until Friday Oct 30th. BCH is the only accredited provider in Ballarat, call them on 5338 4500. Kerri Gordon and Marg Neale are the accredited trainers.

The cost is $50, but can be reduced for patients in financial difficulty.

History

DAFNE originated in the UK and is based on a course run in Germany since the 1980s. Results from the thousands of people in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Australia who have attended a DAFNE program show

• better blood glucose control
• fewer severe hypos
• improved quality of life
• fewer days off work
• less chance of diabetes complications

Since courses commenced in Australia in 2005, over 600 people have been trained in DAFNE principles including members of Ballarat Community Health. In Australia we call it OzDAFNE.

Tags: diabetes