Provider training involves frequent, structured, and continuing medical education activities after completion of licensure/certification requirements to inform medical professionals of recent advances in evidence-based treatment approaches.
Medical professionals have limited access to up-to-date, evidence-based training on diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, particularly in suburban and rural areas where healthcare resources are lacking and training initiatives have historically focused on maternal and child health and infectious diseases. Addressing this gap can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of diabetes-related complications. India’s healthcare infrastructure faces disparities in training and resource allocation, especially outside major urban centres. Many primary care providers and frontline health workers lack structured, ongoing training on the latest diabetes prevention, screening, and management protocols..
Primary care doctors, nurses, and community health workers in rural and underserved regions who lack access to diabetes training are the stakeholders affected. These health professionals often work in hospitals and clinics with limited continuing education opportunities. Patients with or at risk of diabetes may, therefore, not receive optimal care due to gaps in knowledge of evidence-based practices.
Currently, diabetes education for healthcare providers is often delivered through traditional workshops, printed guidelines, and e-learning platforms. Traditional in-person workshops may be infrequent and inaccessible to practitioners in underserved areas of the country. Printed guidelines may not always reflect the latest research and are not available in all clinics.
Empowering the Frontline: A dynamic, real-world training system is needed to equip peripheral healthcare providers with the latest in diabetes prevention, screening, and management.
Additional Considerations:
Internet and mobile phone penetration is rapidly increasing across the country.
The majority of Indians use phones with Android OS.
Care is provided by health providers with varying levels of post-secondary training.
A platform for easy dissemination of up-to-date knowledge in multiple languages can be leveraged for other diseases as well.
