Diabetes care
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| 1 Tutor-marked assignment (TMA) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course provides an introductory overview of diabetes care. It focuses on the person with diabetes, and how they can make informed choices in relation to treatment and lifestyle. You will study medical, social, psychological and educational aspects of the condition of diabetes, and learn about its diagnosis, complications, treatment, lifestyle changes and the role of individuals within the diabetes ‘team’. The course will appeal to students from a variety of backgrounds, including people with diabetes, health care workers and anyone interested in learning more about the condition.
Course content
The course presents the underlying biology of the condition and explores the differences and similarities of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The course materials cover recommended treatment paths such as annual review and check-ups, types of medication, diet and exercise and managing hypos and hypers. The psychosocial aspects of having the condition are also considered – coping with diagnosis, family and professional life, education, communication, driving and the law.
The course has one main text, a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM and other printed supporting materials.
Chapter 1 begins with an introduction to diabetes care, and explains how it feels to have diabetes and to have to be aware of some of the health and safety issues involved.
Chapters 2–4 consider what diabetes mellitus is, and examine awareness of the care and medical management of this condition.
Chapters 5–7 look at risk factors and complications, how they can be monitored and screened for, and how to interpret the results.
Chapters 8–10 explore ‘living with diabetes’ – beliefs and myths about self and treatment, emotions, communication, challenges, driving, employment, relationships, pregnancy and lifestyle.
Throughout the course, the person is considered first, and not the condition.
Entry
You are not expected to have any knowledge of diabetes, but you should be able to read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of a professional magazine or quality newspaper. If you have not studied up to GCSE level fairly recently, you should expect to spend longer on the course materials. An adviser at your regional or national centre will be able to discuss with you how much extra time you are likely to need, and whether you should consider doing some preparatory study before beginning SK120.
It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you to progress to courses at Level 2.
The package Are you ready for science study? offers an interactive quiz to help you decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you should consider first studying an Openings course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
The course focuses on the person with diabetes in the context of the UK National Health Services and includes, where necessary, references to the NHS National Service Framework for Diabetes. The provision of services for diabetes treatment and education is likely to differ outside the UK.
Preparatory work
If you do not already have the necessary computing and internet skills you should study sections three and four of the SAFARI materials, provided by the OU Library, before you begin your study of SK120.
Students who particularly wish to improve their study skills are strongly advised to read The Sciences Good StudyGuide (1997) by A. Northedge, J. Thomas, A. Lane and A. Peasgood. Further advice is available from the Learning with the OU website.
Qualifications
SK120 is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Health Studies (B17)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- Certificate in Health Sciences (C78)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Health Sciences (E49)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences (E52)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (E58)
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
- Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
- Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant award descriptions for information on the circumstances in which the course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements of a qualification may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
If you have seriously impaired sight or manual dexterity you may find making full use of the web and multimedia resources challenging and may benefit from the support of an assistant. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adope PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The course materials are also available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format or in a comb-bound format. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Other formats may be available in future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Much of this course is delivered through tools such DVD-ROMs, CD-ROMs, a course website and online forums. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
A course book, study texts and other printed materials, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, course website and online forum facilities.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We are able to offer group tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the courses that start in May 2010 and May 2011. We expect it to be available once a year in May.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care and Science.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
This course was very interesting, despite initially thinking that as an Insulin Dependant Diabetic it would be an easy option ...
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Diabetes Care was one of the best courses I have studied with the OU. I found both the TMA and ...
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