Diabetes and pregnancy multi-language DVD: Educational tool
01 July 2009
Intended Audience
Patients and healthcare professionals
Health Area
NHS Manchester
Background
A report by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) showed that preconception care tends to be poor and uncoordinated. It recommended a need for better clinical care and diabetes management before, during and after pregnancy. The DVD, Diabetes: A journey through pregnancy was developed to address the CEMACH findings and recommendations.
The DVD was produced for the use of both patients and health professionals portraying the patient journey from pre-conception, pregnancy and post delivery. It is an educational tool for all women with Type 2 diabetes of child bearing age and their partners, health care team, family and friends.
It raises awareness of problems with poor diabetes control before pregnancy in order to improve the pre-conception care provided. The project also builds on the already good relationship with secondary care colleagues and assesses service delivery in pre-conception care in order to prioritise this care for the future.
How this service improves
The service provides information to both the patient and healthcare professional about diabetes and pregnancy. The patient and healthcare professional discuss diabetes care and management prior to conceiving, care during pregnancy and after delivery care.
This DVD increases awareness of the importance of good diabetes control before and after conception. As a result, there is a greater impact on pre conception advice, increased awareness within primary care and contributing to healthier outcomes for both mother and baby. The DVD assists in providing a more seamless health education and consistent approach to pre-conception advice.
The DVD is offered in multiple languages, including Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Somali, Polish, Mandarin and Cantonese, in order to target hard to reach groups.
Why this service is a good example of shared practice
The DVD is an innovative approach to education for both patients and health professionals. The DVD is of use to both professionals and patients. It encourages better self-management as well as improved service delivery.
It is available in 9 languages and increases access to information and advice and inclusion. The resource is timely for the CEMACH national enquiry taking into consideration the need for better clinical care and diabetes management before, during and after pregnancy.
It provides choice; education can be provided in by another eg, DVD. Also increasing access and inclusion as in multiple languages: Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Somali, Polish, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Objectives
· To provide educational resource for both patients and health professionals to be used in various individual or group settings.
· To reach out to hard to reach groups.
· To increase awareness of pre-conception advice with diabetes.
· To improve on current practices.
· To promote pre-conception advice in primary care and reduce secondary care referrals.
· To increase good outcomes with diabetes and pregnancy.
Service Provided
The DVD is available free of charge for all patients and healthcare professionals.
Patients can obtain the DVD free from their healthcare team. Healthcare professionals can obtain the DVD from the primary care commissioning team at the PCT. The DVD is designed to be used by the healthcare profession with a patient or group for group education.
Accountability
Service users were involved from the onset. The topic chosen in collaboration with the user Diabetes steering group they sit on. Users were involved heavily through the script writing and filming and translation of the DVD.
Local statistics show that pregnant women accessing midwifery services have poor diabetic control. The DVD raises awareness of potential problems and encourages best practice in primary care around pre-conception advice.
The DVD provides evidence based information which can be updated when needed. It can be used in a number of settings including patient use, health professional use, pharmacies, waiting rooms and health events. The DVD can be used to host educational events around pre-conception advice and pregnancy, given out to patients and also pilot patient group education.
The array of stakeholders involved has made this project so successful, including patients, primary care, secondary care, and more. The fact that this educational tool is available in 9 languages increases access and inclusion, making it transferable also to local community groups including mosques temples etc.
Evaluation
Pre-conception advice is now being carried out in primary care. We are currently working on electronic tagging and annual invite to all females with Type 2 of child bearing age.
Feedback has shown that everyone who has looked at the DVD has found it informative and helpful.
Learning
· The project has led to a more collaborative approach between secondary and primary care colleagues and increased joint working. Secondary care colleagues are more aware of hurdles and barriers faced in primary care, and primary care colleagues now much more aware of secondary care capacity and issues.
· Stakeholders have a better understanding what services are available and what needs expanding or implementing.
· Everybody involved in the project has valued being a part of it, we have all learnt from each other – both healthcare professionals and users. The CEMACH national document and local statistics have been taken into account and a structured, strategic approach to pre-conception advice and diabetes has been developed.