Diabetes Care From A to Z (KISC)

4 units

The focus of the Diabetes Care from A to Z KISC is to fully understand diabetes mellitus across a continuum from the standpoint of a basic scientist to its translation as a skilled bedside clinician. The course curriculum will explore basic science topics such as normal glucose metabolism in addition to the pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Students will learn about the exciting landscape of therapies for diabetes including novel oral and injectable medications along with advanced technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery systems. Students will be given the opportunity to assess the output of these devices and learn how to incorporate that information into their management of patients with diabetes. Finally, emphasis will be placed on helping the students understand the need for collaboration among an interdisciplinary team of specialists to provide optimal care for individuals with diabetes. This KISC is four weeks long. The first week is primarily classroom-based and provides the foundation for the subsequent 3 one-week clinical rotations on an in-patient service, out-patient services (diabetes/endocrine/other related subspecialty), and at community-based sites (on-campus and possibly off-campus). This approach will allow the students to cultivate an appreciation for the racial/ethnic disparities in access to diabetes medications and technology and how this impacts outcomes in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This will help students to incorporate consideration of the social determinants of health into their patient management strategies. One day during each of the clinical weeks will be set aside for case presentations and journal club style presentations by students, additional hands-on activities, and seminars on the latest advances in understanding and treating diabetes by Washington University School of Medicine faculty.