X Pert Course???

[tomm181]

I have just completed the X Pert course at my GP surgery - I was just wondering if anyone else has been on one and wondered what you thought.

As a newby to all this, I found a lot of it quite interesting and it was a good opportunity to ask questions. It did seem like we were all treated the same, both T1 & T2 were on the course, if you want to control your diabetes then you all have to do this...

I have read loads of stuff over the last few months since I was diagnosed and most of it says that that we are all different and need to see how we react.

It does seem like this might have been a numbers game, get as many people through this, so we can say we have 'educated' all these people when we need to show the stats. Rather than arranging for each person to be seen and helped with their own individual needs...

This combined with the new directive that I should only test my BG levels once a week is a little worrisome...what next? Does anyone have a particular arguement that has worked with their GP to increase the amount of testing gear you can get on prescription, it's great telling you that you get free prescriptions, but if you can't get the prescription in the first place...

Have a good weekend - controlled levels for all!!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

One test a week? Hopeless if you are trying to do anything proactive regarding diet (in addition to meds) to control BGs.

Money saving pure and simple. Even though dietary changes have been shown to be as effective as insulin in many cases for normalising BGs your GP seems to want to use strips to monitor 'inevitable'* progression and when to up meds.

Have you looked up the DUK test strip advocacy pack?

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_h...ks/Availability-of-blood-glucose-test-strips/

* I'm not sure I believe it is inevitable for everyone - and certainly shouldn't be sped along by refusal of strips in any case!

 

[SimplesL]

Hi

This course isn't run in my area; all you get is a 4 hour overview which is rushed because of the amount they try to cover.

I am about to sign up for the electronic version of the Xpert diabetes course which is split over 6 weeks as the "classroom one is".

As for test strips I wouldn't get them from my GP practise. All down to money even though they try to convince you it's not required unless you need insulin.

When diagnosed my GP said in the second sentence we can't give you any test strips as you don't need them and it causes unnecessary worry to people!!

 

[trophywench]

Based on a terribly flawed piece of research carried out in the UK I'm afriad..... the gist of it being:

Advise T2's to test intensively BUT don't give them any pointers what to do if their BG is too high (eg eat less, jog round the block, whatever) - in fact BAN them from doing anything pro-active.

I should think it B-well WAS depressing; it would make anyone depressed. Abysmal.

It's all there in the research doc if you take the trouble to actually read further than the headlines.

The control group who didn't test intensively and were therefore in blissful (?) ignorance, didn't get depressed.

Quel surprise .......

 

[Northerner]

Quite, TW, and it's disgusting that this misinformation has been bandied about so much that I'm sure most of the HCPs who spout it are convinced it's the incontrovertible truth

...It did seem like we were all treated the same, both T1 & T2 were on the course, if you want to control your diabetes then you all have to do this...
...It does seem like this might have been a numbers game, get as many people through this, so we can say we have 'educated' all these people when we need to show the stats. Rather than arranging for each person to be seen and helped with their own individual needs...
...

I'm surprised they had a mix of T1 and T2 on the course. I know they do separate courses,, but have never heard of a mix before.

I do see what you mean about the 'numbers game' - perhaps the instructor wasn't one of the best, making it feel more like a box-ticking exercise. However, I think one of the things that many people really take away from such courses is the chance to meet others in similar circumstances, thus reducing the isolation often felt 🙂

 

[tomm181]

That's very true, I have met a fellow diagnosee (if that's a real word) and we have started playing badminton together, to get ourselves fitter and to lose weight. The group part was good from the support and empathy point of view and the two ladies that ran it were very good too.

Which we were taught on the course, so it was not a complete waste of time!!

Don't get me wrong it was a good course, but just a too general and mass produced for a problem that needs to be more taylored to each individual from what I understand.

Thanks for the tips about how to get more strips & needles I will see what I can do!

 

[Caroline]

I did the Xpert Course. It is a surprise T1s and T2s were mixed, unless they were trying something new. I know there was a trial course for T1s.

As for testing, the advice does seem to vary, although in general type 2s are expected to test less often.

I did the course about 2 years ago and went on the refresher day earlier this year. It was nice to meet people in the same position as me, but it didn't tell me anything I don't already know.

 

[Steff]

Very good course over to quickly for my liking though

 

[mcdonagh47]

I'm surprised they had a mix of T1 and T2 on the course. I know they do separate courses,, but have never heard of a mix before.

was the OP on the "X-Pert Patients course" or the "X-Pert Patients Type 2 Diabetes course"....two completely different kettles of fish.

The first is just for the general management of chronic conditions, the second emanates from Burnley Hospital and is specifically aimed at Type 2 Diabetes.