Seddon resident Steve Flint has received further support towards completing a postgraduate course to broaden his skill set in assisting people living with diabetes.
Currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education at Deakin University, he was one of eight successful applicants in Diabetes Victoria’s 2022 Gwen Scott grant program.
As an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian, Mr Flint has been working as a clinical research officer within Australian Catholic University’s [ACU] Exercise and Nutrition Research Program.
He has been part of the team undertaking two research projects to evaluate the potential benefits of time-restricted eating, where participants either with type 2 diabetes or at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes are restricted to eating within a 9-hour window.
Mr Flint said the research would involve conducting HbA1c blood tests (a measure of blood glucose control) to detect if there is a statistically significant change following the intervention.
He said the postgraduate course would provide him with further tools about how to respond to patients’ needs.
“The point is to develop my professional skill set to better support people living with diabetes,” Mr Flint said.
“They need to understand what they can do on a day-to-day basis to help self-manage their condition.”
“This grant will be extremely beneficial.”
Diabetes Victoria chief executive Glen Noonan said the grants would “make a real difference” in health professionals’ knowledge around managing diabetes.
“More than 370,000 Victorians are known to be living with diabetes and there is an increasing need to provide health professionals with opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of diabetes, including up-to-date management options and general health promotion strategies,” he said.
Matthew Sims
