HARPdoc: the curriculum
| Format | Topics | |
| Week 1: how low can you go? | ||
| Full-day group programme | Introduction to the course and goal setting | |
| Education topics | What is a hypo? | |
| Consequences of severe hypos. | ||
| Model of hypo unawareness. | ||
| Novel hypo awareness signs | Teaching the body scan.* | |
| Complete individual severe hypo risk assessment. | ||
| Modify goal setting based on education. | ||
| Homework | Estimating bg levels; doing a body scan and noting any novel hypo signs. | |
| Week 2: the balancing act | ||
| Full-day group programme | Education topics | How to anticipate peaks/nadirs of insulin action. |
| CHO counting and matching. | ||
| Modifications for exercise/physical activity. | ||
| Behavioural plan | ||
| Homework | Estimating bg levels (as above) and noting insulin/diet/activity (biological factors) and making insulin/food adjustments. | |
| Week 3: thinking traps | ||
| Full-day group programme | ||
| Patients review answers to A2A questionnaire. | ||
| Education topics. | Concept of thinking traps. | |
| Pros/cons of each one. | ||
| How thinking traps interact with hypo management. | ||
| Group discussion about more helpful thoughts. | ||
| Strategies to support patients in their social context. | ||
| Thinking traps plan. | ||
| Homework | Estimating bg levels (as above) and noting thoughts in response to bg level (psychological factors). | |
| Weeks 4 and 5 | ||
| One hour each week individual appointments for face-to-face, telephone or internet-based contact with educator. | Reviewing patient progress/plans and provide troubleshooting support. | |
| Week 6: keeping on track | ||
| Full-day group session | Revise core education topics with group. | |
| Invitation to bring significant other and Q&A session. | ||
| Group discussion on progress made. | ||
| Group discussion on future challenges/relapse prevention. | ||
| Opportunity for final trouble shooting. | ||
| Individual relapse prevention plans. | ||
*Teaching patients to scan their body for any subtle cues that may indicate being low.
A2A, Attitudes to Awareness (of hypoglycaemia); bg, blood glucose; CHO, carbohydrate; HARPdoc, Hypoglycaemia Awareness Restoration Programme for People with Type 1 Diabetes and Problematic Hypoglycaemia Persisting Despite Optimised Self-care.