Gwen Scott Grant Success stories

While the Gold Coast usually promises sunshine, it was forecast to rain for all three days. Regardless, I was very excited to learn about the latest research and to have the opportunity to network with others in the field.

On the first day, I attended an interesting oral presentation session. This included a summary of the evidence from the first-in-human trial of duodenal laser technology to treat type 2 diabetes (the REGENT-1 trial). It was fascinating to hear that the duodenal laser improved time in range, postprandial hyperglycaemia, and HbA1c, with a dose-dependent response. The session also included several post-hoc analyses of the SURMOUNT trial. I learned that tirzepatide is now TGA-approved for the management of obstructive sleep apnoea, and there is evidence to suggest it may also help preserve some renal function.

The use of CGM in type 2 diabetes appeared to be a recurring theme throughout the conference. I attended a session run by Western Sydney Diabetes on their digital integrated care model for complex clients with type 2 diabetes, using CGM and virtual case conferencing with a GP, diabetes educator, dietitian, and endocrinologist. It was fascinating to hear about the positive outcomes of this service through example case studies. The power of CGM was highlighted when the dietitian spoke about how many clients had already begun making meaningful changes before their first appointment—simply from starting CGM and seeing how their lifestyle affected their glucose levels. For the most part, they are able to stabilise these complex clients within 2–3 sessions, before referring them back to the care of their GP.

Something I didn’t know much about before attending the conference was type 1 diabetes screening and the emerging evidence for immunotherapy to prevent or delay its onset. I was fascinated to learn about the work of Type 1 Screen, Breakthrough T1, and the Australasian Type 1 Diabetes Immunotherapy Collaborative (ATIC). There were also interesting discussions around the moral dilemma faced by parents with type 1 diabetes when deciding whether to screen their children.

Another engaging session was led by Dr Othmar Mosar. He presented on the use of the myLife YpsoPump and CamAPS AID system during exercise. His presentation included information from a recent position statement he co-authored, which provides practical steps for managing exercise with type 1 diabetes across various insulin pumps. He also discussed how fully closed-loop technology is ready, but requires the development of new, faster-acting insulins with less time on board. I look forward to sharing these guidelines with my colleagues. To round out the session, a lived experience speaker who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult shared his journey with exercise and competitive cycling after his diagnosis. He also spoke about his son’s diagnosis and how he has supported him in staying active and playing sport.

As a dietitian, I was particularly interested in the session on Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR) in type 1 diabetes. I learned that a group of doctors, dietitians, and diabetes educators have created guidelines for dietitians to support people with type 1 diabetes who wish to follow a low-carbohydrate diet. They presented evidence supporting TCR in type 1 diabetes and offered practical strategies for protein dosing, using a role-play case study. I am keen to use these guidelines to support my clients with type 1 diabetes who are interested in lower carb eating.

Overall, I loved my experience at the ADC and would be thrilled to attend again in the future. A huge thank you to Diabetes Victoria for the opportunity to attend, supported by the Gwen Scott Grant.

With the support of the Gwen Scott grant, I was able to attend the Australasian Diabetes Advancements and Technologies Summit (ADATS) and the Australasian Diabetes Congress (ADC) in Adelaide. ADATS boasted an impressive lineup of international and national speakers, talking about the latest advances in technology available in Australia. Presentations related to both patient user technologies (pumps and CGM) and organisational technology which allows for easier workflows for health care facilities.

From Wednesday to Friday I attended the ADC. On Wednesday I presented my abstract as an oral presentation on the telephone clinic that we set up during covid. This clinic provided remote follow-up to patients who needed support to stabilise their diabetes, but did not need to attend a face-to-face appointment. This clinic is still servicing up to 15 patients a day. The presentation was well received by the audience.

On Thursday I presented with a team, including an Endocrinologist, a dietitian and a person living with diabetes about the challenges that hormonal changes create for women living with Type 1 diabetes. This session attracted a large audience with standing room only. Discussion was robust with an amazing level of interest in the topic.
I was fortunate enough to chair another session, where three dietitians presented on topics related to dietary management of diabetes and weight. Each dietitian presented a different opinion on how weight management could be achieved, but the underlying belief that ‘fat shaming’ doesn’t work was apparent in all the presentations.

On Friday I participated in a session on Diabetes Technologies. I offered the perspective of a Credential led Diabetes Educator – Registered Nurse on the various systems available and the importance of patient choice in their own management. Again, there was keen interest in the session with lots of questions generated.

My favourite session that I attended as an audience member was presented by Helen Murphy, who discussed her recent paper on the care of women in pregnancy with Type 1 diabetes using the Ypso insulin pump with the CamAPS closed loop app. The session demonstrated some very positive outcomes for these women. Ypso is making a submission to the TGA to have their system approved for use in pregnancy.

Catching up with colleagues and networking between sessions is also an invaluable part of the conference.Without the support of the Gwen Scott Grant, I would have struggled to attend the conference. I value the opportunity to share my experience as a CDE – RN with other diabetes health professionals and to learn from others. Thank you to Diabetes Victoria for offering me this opportunity.

Cara used her Gwen Scott grant funding to receive a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) at La Trobe University. Cara is a credentialled diabetes educator and works at Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS), managing the Education Service and Chronic Disease Management Program as senior clinician and team leader. Yet, Cara saw the need to continue her professional development.  

“Having a diabetes-specific nurse practitioner in community health will have a huge impact on helping people with diabetes access timely, equitable, evidence-based and expert care and diabetes education,” says Cara about her motivation to enrol in the Masters of Nursing course. “There are very limited supports available to study at this level when you work in the community health setting, especially in a rural and regional area. Many of the courses require substantial travel away from home and all require significant clinical placement hours. I knew that, in receiving the Gwen Scott grant, it would relieve a lot of pressure on myself and my family.”  

Cara has almost completed the second semester of the Masters course. Now, she has to complete two more semesters and a clinical internship. “Following that I will apply for endorsement with AHPRA as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) with my speciality area being diabetes and chronic disease,” Cara says. “From there, I hope to develop my current clinical leadership role to be able to incorporate the emerging diabetes technologies and management strategies, including medicines, to make a real difference in people’s lives.”  

As we learn more and more about diabetes care and management, Cara says that it’s almost impossible to keep up with the rapid developments without professional development. “With the Gwen Scott grant and my study, I’ve had to opportunity to dive deeper into areas of clinical interest for our team. It’s very important to keep having conversations, develop networks and furthering education,” Cara says.  

Accredited practising dietitian Steve Flint has supported people with diabetes to improve their health and wellbeing for many years. With his Gwen Scott grant funding, Steve recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education at Deakin University which helps him broaden his understanding of diabetes, prevention strategies and management approaches – and also got him a new job!  

Having increased his scope of practice as a clinician, Steve can now provide comprehensive diabetes self-management education and better support people living with diabetes. “I have recently secured a role as a clinical research co-ordinator and credentialled diabetes educator within the Diabetes Technology Research Group based at St Vincent’s Hospital, which was only possible by having this qualification,” Steve shares.  

As a long-time health professional member of Diabetes Victoria, Steve recommends everyone working in diabetes to apply for a Gwen Scott grant. “Regular advancements in the field of diabetes from medications to technology means ongoing education is essential to stay up to date,” Steve says. “People with diabetes look to health professionals for support and it’s our responsibility to provide our clients with best-practice advice.”  

“I recommend health professionals apply for the Gwen Scott grant to support their own professional and personal development,” Steve continues. “It will further your learning and help you to better support people with diabetes, which is ultimately why we work in this field!”