Diabetes

Diabetes is a global health emergency with over 600 million people expected to have the condition by 2030, representing 10% of the world’s population. Therefore the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed diabetes as an epidemic requiring urgent action for both prevention and management. This has been echoed in Ireland’s Health Service Executive national policy and clinical strategy for diabetes. It is a chronic metabolic condition that can cause significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if not managed correctly. Central to this management is controlling key physiological indices such as blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid levels, as well as promoting health behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Unfortunately achieving these biological targets and lifestyle goals is extremely challenging. Therefore, given its growing prevalence and resulting impact on health care resources, there is an urgent need to provide specialist training in diabetes.  This interdisciplinary programme aims to meet this need. 

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required MD1802: Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required MD1801: Fundamentals of Preventive Cardiology - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required GPN10: Diabetes - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required MD577: Research Project - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Optional MD1803: Tobacco Cessation in Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Management - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MD1804: Diet and Weight Management in Preventive Medicine and Cardiovascular Health - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MD1805: Physical Activity and Exercise in Chronic Disease Management - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MD578: Lifestyle Risk Factor Modification - 30 Credits - Semester 2

Optional MD1810: Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches in Cardiometabolic Medicine - 10 Credits - Semester 2

1 year, full-time

Next start date: September 2026

Specialist training in diabetes at postgraduate level will demonstrate an academic commitment to diabetes care and research, and therefore will allow the graduate to be competitive in pursing future healthcare opportunities.