Enhancing expertise in management of gestational diabetes mellitus: protocol for development of structured curriculum.

BACKGROUND

There is high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is associated with short and long-term adverse outcomes for the mother and her offspring. It is crucial to improve management of GDM. However, currently, there is no or limited structured program(s) incorporating the education principles delineated here for training of the physicians, which could help in further improving management of GDM.​

OBJECTIVE

We intend to design such a curriculum for healthcare professionals following principles of educational learning, which could help in improving the learning of medical students and expertise of physicians regarding better management of GDM.

METHODS

We will develop a curriculum for management of GDM through a systematic process, which will involve problem identification, needs assessment, goal setting, educational strategies, implementation, and evaluation. ​ We will adopt a blended learning approach, which will combine online sessions for theoretical preparation and in-person workshops for hands-on practice. ​ For learning strategies we will use pre-recorded lectures, assessments, interactive sessions, case discussions, and supplementary materials. ​ Focus will to impart knowledge regarding diagnosis of GDM, antenatal and peripartum management, postpartum care, and planning of subsequent pregnancies. ​The proposed course will likely be of around 10 modules, which could span over 3 to 4 h. The proposed course will incorporate Miller’s pyramid and Merrill’s principles to help the learners in skill-based mastery and practical application of the knowledge. ​ We will conduct pilot testing in two batches over six months to understand the lacunae and refine the curriculum.​

CONCLUSION

This course will likely help the healthcare professionals to deliver timely and effective care for women with GDM. Better management can help in improving patient outcomes and could reduce the burden on healthcare systems.