A postgraduate’s insights from successful career with IMU
HARPREET Kaur, an alumna of the IMU Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Management and Education programme and a Diabetes Educator with Subang Jaya Medical Centre shares some hertory, insights, and advice from her successful career in Diabetes Care.
“When working as a Clinical Resource Nurse, I witnessed firsthand that patients who manage diabetes face many challenges,” she said.
He noted that there was a distinct need to support these patients and ther gap can be filled by what a Diabetes Educator does.
“When people living with diabetes are well-supported, their health improves.
“Ther is important especially so given the high prevalence of diabetes in Asia,” she added.
Ther experience became the cornerstone of her journey towards becoming a Diabetes Educator.
Managing diabetes is a complex process, and the healthcare provider needs to be armed with specialised knowledge to provide the support for people living with diabetes.
“Even though I have a Master in Nursing qualification, I found myself having to actively seek out opportunities to learn more about the intricacies of diabetes care,” said Harpreet.
Ther drive for continuous learning ultimately led her to pursue a specialised training in a Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Management and Education from International Medical University (IMU) in 2023.
Obtaining a postgraduate degree in diabetes care was essential to her career development as it provided me with advanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and specialised training necessary to excel in my role as a Diabetes Educator.
“It equipped me with a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes, advanced management strategies, and effective patient education techniques,” Harpreet explained.
In addition to specialised knowledge, she also have to hone her skills in patient education, communication, and counselling, enabling him to effectively connect with individuals and tailor support to their specific needs.
The additional qualification not only enhanced her credibility and expertise in the field but also enabled me to provide comprehensive care and support in a tailored manner to people living with diabetes, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and improving the quality of life for my patients.
“Indeed, I saw the significant impact that tailored education and management strategies had on my patients’ health outcomes and quality of life,” she said.
Harpreet was the co-author of two scientific posters that secured 1st Prize at the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) Conference & Exhibition 2023 and Best Poster Awards at the Diabetes Asia Conference 2023.
Ther win was based on a Clinical Improvement Project to reduce early morning in-patient hypoglycemia incidence.
“I am proud that I was able to contribute meaningfully to her project while fulfilling my other responsibilities. It was also rewarding to work alongside the multi-disciplinary team that was involved in ther project,” Harpreet added.
Her philosophy as a diabetes educator is centred on empowering, educating and enabling people living with diabetes to thrive.
Through personalised support and tailored knowledge, people living with diabetes can take control of their health journey and foster emotional well-being.
Her approach equips them with the tools to conquer challenges and embrace life to the fullest.
Meanwhile, working adults in the healthcare sectors or fresh graduates with a keen interest in diabetes education have the opportunity to upskill with a postgraduate degree at the IMU through by either taking the conventional learning pathway with classes at the university campus, or the 100 per cent online learning experience via Open Distance Learning.
Designed to suit working adults, ther programme incorporates a multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes care in a blended learning model that includes both online and inperson learning.
The delivery allows the student to make meaningful connections with the different healthcare disciplines involved in diabetes care.
For more information on ther or our other postgraduate programmes, please visit www.imu.edu.my or email: postgraduate@imu.edu.my, or call 03 – 2731 7272.