My Diabetes My Way: January 2022 Update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for January 2022.
New Research Shows Benefits of My Diabetes My Way
New research from the University of Dundee has shown that My Diabetes My Way could save health services millions of pounds every year while improving the quality of life of those who use it. The researchers found that users of the service were likely to experience an improvement in their diabetes control, which was subsequently shown to result in the avoidance or delay in the onset of diabetes complications. Cost savings were demonstrated through a reduction in heart, kidney, eye and foot disease for patients and a reduction in treatment and medication costs to the NHS. The full research paper is available via the University of Dundee Press Release here:
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/stories/mdmw-enhances-life-quality-and-brings-cost-savings
Planning for 2022
The New Year is an ideal time to consider personal goals to improve your life for the future. You may wish to improve your diabetes management (see online courses below) or maintain good control. My Diabetes My Way can help you achieve these goals. Studies have shown if individuals with diabetes maintain their blood glucose levels to target, the risk of diabetes complications is reduced.
- Monitor your blood glucose levels if you have been asked to by your diabetes team
- Take your prescribed medication regularly
- Regularly check your feet and choose suitable footwear
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-complications/feet/ - Maintain a healthy lifestyle with an appropriate balanced diet and as much regular exercise as your condition allows
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/diet-food/
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/activity-exercise/ - Attend your diabetes review appointments and screening tests. These visits monitor your eyes, feet, HbA1c (overall diabetes control), kidney function, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index.
All of your results can be accessed on My Diabetes My Way once you have registered to access your records.
Scottish Diabetes Survey 2020
The Scottish Government has published the 2020 Scottish Diabetes Survey. This report provides an annual update describing many aspects of diabetes care across the whole of Scotland. This information is useful as it helps each Scottish NHS Board identify what initiatives are needed to further improve the quality of diabetes care in their area. There are now over 317,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland. You can find the full report at the following link:
https://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Diabetes-Scottish-Diabetes-Survey-2020.pdf
Free Online Diabetes Courses
Free online courses are available for people with Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes at https://elearning.mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk. These courses are provided by MyWay Digital Health and have been developed in collaboration with the University of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh. To brush up on your diabetes self-management during COVID-19, register a username and password to get going.
MyWay Digital Health are also hosting a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on ‘Understanding Type 2 diabetes’ on 3rd and 4th February. The course is available to anyone, no matter where they live, and offers a supportive shared learning experience for anyone living with Type 2 diabetes and those that care for them. To book your place, please visit https://understandingtype2.mydiabetes.com/
Please note, these services are not connected to myaccount, so you will be asked to create a new account to access eLearning and the MOOC. Your myaccount details will work as normal to allow you to access your diabetes records.
My Diabetes My Way Admin
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, it is taking us longer to collect mail, create new enrolment packs and send out registration paperwork for you to access your diabetes records. We are currently processing enrolment packs in batches every two weeks, but we are now happy for you to email us back a photo or scanned copy of your signed form to avoid any further delays.
Help and Support
If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot
Thank you for your continued support.