Diabetes mellitus is becoming a common disease in India, and its cases are also steadily increasing worldwide. According to the statistics, there was a 3% increase in cases of diabetes mellitus fatality between 2000 and 2019. Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus have numerous complications, one of them is retinopathy. Due to this, Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of visual impairment globally.

India is leading the world's Diabetic population next to China. Almost 77 million people are affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus at the age of 18 years or above. Hence, to combat this chronic disease, medical professionals should have in-depth knowledge of its management. One such way to acquire extensive knowledge of this disease is through a fellowship in diabetes mellitus.

The following sections discuss how the diabetes mellitus fellowship may assist healthcare workers in enhancing patient outcomes, raising awareness, and reducing the occurrence of diabetes.

Complications With Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that progresses slowly. The complications tied to it take time to manifest. Problems with diabetes mellitus can be both limiting and potentially fatal for an individual. Diabetes mellitus is a serious public health problem in India, as it may result in consequences such as cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, vision loss, and amputation in severe instances.

Diabetes mellitus is more common among individuals with low to moderate incomes, particularly in cities. Preventive and management measures of Diabetes mellitus include lifestyle modifications and access to affordable healthcare. These measures are critical to reducing the burden of diabetes mellitus.

Global Insight of Diabetes Mellitus

537 million people globally were living with diabetes mellitus in the year 2021. Almost 80 million people are suffering from diabetes mellitus in India. 7.47 million deaths occurred in 2021 due to Diabetes mellitus, and the number of Diabetologists in India is almost 3573.

Fellowship in Diabetes Mellitus Overview

The fellowship in diabetes mellitus programme includes a certificate course and a fellowship programme that collectively provide medical professionals with a thorough and integrative grasp of diabetes mellitus diagnosis, treatment, and management. Once the fellowship is completed, participants are enabled to consult on diabetic situations, enhancing patient care and propelling careers forward. Participants in Diabetes Mellitus often undergo training in a variety of diabetes-related disciplines, including:

• Diabetes pathophysiology
• Diabetes evaluation and categorisation
• Complications associated with diabetes management
• Diabetes pharmacotherapy
• Diabetes control through lifestyle changes
• Insulin pump treatment with continuous glucose monitoring

How Fellowship Helps To Upgrade Skills and Knowledge in Diabetes Mellitus

A fellowship is a modification to the graduation degree that allows medical professionals to acquire comprehensive skills or subject matter expertise. Since there is a lower possibility of gaining a comprehensive grasp of all disciplines during graduation, like MBBS, and post-graduate programmes, enrollment can be costly and burdensome at times. This makes fellowship an ideal alternative for medical professionals who wish to continue their exploration journey in the medical field.

In a variety of ways, the Fellowship in Diabetes Mellitus programme can assist medical professionals in enhancing the health of their patients. Fellowship in diabetes mellitus has a duration of 12 months and is a combination of classroom education and clinical training.

Participants engage with prominent diabetes specialists and attend sessions by them to stay current with the recent studies and advances in diabetes care. Participants are also be able to interact with skilled diabetes experts such as endocrinologists, diabetes educators, and other medical professionals.

What Participants Will Learn While In a Fellowship In Diabetes Mellitus?

Participants have advanced training in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetes and associated disorders during a fellowship in diabetes mellitus. Some of the focused areas of fellowship are:

• Multidisciplinary Care: Diabetes mellitus is a complex disorder that needs frequent assistance from several healthcare professionals. The value of an interdisciplinary approach to care is taught to the participants. The strategy involves cooperation with primary care physicians, endocrinologists, nutritionists, diabetes educators, and other experts.
• Method of Therapy:  Participants study different diabetes treatment choices, which involve dietary and activity modifications, oral drugs, injectable medications, such as insulin, and cutting-edge treatments.
• Upgrade Skills and Enhance Your Confidence: The training can boost medical professionals’ self-assurance in their ability to manage people with diabetes mellitus, which provides fulfilment with their work. Complex cases may feel easier to manage, and one may feel more prepared to make professional judgements.

How can participants advance their careers after a fellowship in diabetes mellitus?

Upon the completion of the fellowship, participants have access to diverse career opportunities, gain clinical competence and provide the best possible patient care. Several career options are:

• Participate in a Diabetic Organisation or Group: Participants can join a diabetic organisation or association to keep current on industry advances, network with other experts, and join conferences and seminars.
• Implement Diabetes Management Plans: Participants can apply their specialised knowledge to help healthcare organisations, academic institutions, and government agencies establish diabetes control programmes. This can enable them to take on leadership positions and significantly improve the lives of people suffering from diabetes.
• Perform and Publicise Research: Participants have the opportunity to undertake diabetic research and publish the outcomes in journals with peer review or present them at conferences. This may assist them in progressing their careers and becoming recognised experts in the field.
• Keep Proceeding Clinical Practice: Participants can continue to pursue clinical practice in the treatment of diabetes, either within their current organisation or by leading their own.
• Pursue Additional Education: Participants who complete a diabetes mellitus fellowship may opt to further their education by pursuing a doctorate or a master’s degree in healthcare management. This can help them advance their career and assume leadership positions in the sector.

Final Takeaway

The Fellowship in Diabetes Mellitus offers an excellent opportunity for medical professionals aiming to elevate their careers in this specialised field. This fellowship equips participants with the necessary tools to develop clinical competence, enabling them to make informed clinical decisions and implement early interventions. Ultimately, this contributes to enhancing the quality of life for patients.