Diabetes Education Study Group – 3rd DESG REGIONAL MEETING ”Train-the-trainer”

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME

Day 1 31st October 2025
14.00-15.00 Registration
Day 1 – Knowledge & Nutrition Practice
15.00-15.30 Opening & Orientation (30 min)
o Welcome, objectives, expectations
o Icebreaker: “My experience with diabetes education”
15.30-17.00 Session 1: Diabetes Overview for Nutrition (1.5 hrs)
15.30-15.45 Basics of type 1 and type 2 diabetes Tatjana Milenkovic
15.45-16.00 Nutritionist’s role in the multidisciplinary team Eva Karaglani
16.00-17.00 Discussion: What do patients expect from nutrition counseling? 2 groups
Anna Gavrieli/ Joao Raposo Eva Karaglani/ Florian Toti

• Coffee Break (15 min)
  17.15-19.15 Session 2: Adherence & Compliance – How to Support Patients (2 hrs)
  17.15-17.35 Barriers: cultural, financial, psychological, family support Ana Lucia Covinhas
  17.35-18.25 Tools: motivational interviewing, SMART goals Ana Lucia/ Tatjana Milenkovic
  18.25-19.15 Role play: Difficult patient conversations Joao Raposo/Florian Toti
  20.30 Dinner

Day 2 1st November 2025
9.00-11.00 Session 3: Nutrition Therapy in Diabetes (2 hrs)
9.00-09.20 Individualized medical nutrition therapy Tsvetalina Tankova
9.20-10.10
10.10-11.00
Carbohydrate counting, portion control, glycemic index 2 groups
Practical activity: Meal planning with local foods Anna Gavrieli/ Florian Toti
Eva Karaglani/Zelija Velija Asimi
11.00 Coffee break 15 Minutes
11.15-12.45
Session 4: Case Study Discussions (1.5 hrs)
Small groups solve real-life adherence cases 2 groups Cornelia Bala/Florian Toti & Dario
Rahelic/Zelija Velija Asimi
12.45-13.15 Plenary presentations
13.30-15.00 Lunch
Practical Skills in Patient Education
17.30-19.00 Session 5: Coping with Illness – Mental & Emotional Health (1.5 hrs)
17.00-17.15 Diabetes distress, depression, anxiety Dario Rahelic
17.15-17.30 Supportive communication techniques Joao Raposo
17.30- 18.15 Practical activity: Relaxation, stress management, positive coping strategies
Kelvina Kapidani/ Ana Lucia Covinhas
18.15 Coffee Break (15 min)
18.30-20.00 Session 6: Patient Self-Control & Monitoring (1.5 hrs)
18.30-18.50 Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
basics Tsvetalina Tankova
18.50-19.20 Nutritionist’s role in interpreting patterns & advising adjustments Anna
Gavrieli/Eva Karaglani
19.20-20.00 Hands-on demo: glucometer use, sensor use, logbook review, app-based tracking
Tsvetalina Tankova/Cornelia Bala/Florian Toti/Dario Rahelic
Wrap-up Discussion – Day 2 (30 min)
20.30 Dinner
Day 3 2nd November 2025
9.00-11.00 Session 8: Diabetic Foot – Prevention & Maintenance (2 hrs)
9.00-9.20 Risk factors, complications, early detection Florian Toti
9.20-10.20 Demonstration: Foot inspection & footwear check Sokol Hasho
10.20-11.00 Group exercise: Educating patients on daily foot self-care Irfan Ahmeti
11.00 Coffee Break (15 min)
11.15-12.00 Group discussion Collaboration between members of education team
12.00-12.30 Closing Session (30 min)
Key takeaways
Action planning: “How will I apply this in my setting?”
Certificates & evaluation