Advancing Diabetes Care
The knowledge to action challenge
Diabetes care is a dynamic field requiring the collaboration of various healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient outcomes. The Knowledge to Action (K2A) Challenge is an exciting initiative that highlights the innovative work of allied health professionals in diabetes care.
This challenge, led by experts, Diana Sherifali and Lori Berard, provides a platform for these professionals to share their groundbreaking projects and receive funding to expand their impact.
The Role of Allied Health Professionals
Allied health professionals are essential in managing diabetes care. As Lori Berard, a nurse consultant with over 35 years of experience, explains, “They ensure patients receive guideline-based therapy, proper education, and support to facilitate self-management of this chronic disease.” These professionals act as the glue, connecting various elements of patient care and ensuring comprehensive support.
Diana Sherifali, a prominent diabetes nurse educator and researcher, further emphasizes their importance: “Allied healthcare professionals are the conduits that make self-management support actually happen. They are crucial in organizing care, coordinating efforts, and providing continuous education.”
The K2A Challenge: A Platform for Innovation
The K2A Challenge is designed to showcase and support the innovative work of allied health professionals. “The Knowledge to Action Challenge in diabetes is an excellent opportunity for Canadian allied health professionals to share the great work they are doing in education, support, and management,” says Sherifali. This initiative provides participants with the chance to receive funding for their knowledge translation activities, such as sharing best practices or scaling their projects.
Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation
One of the most compelling aspects of the K2A Challenge is its accessibility. “We are circumventing the traditional approaches and box-fitting of knowledge translation,” Sherifali notes. The challenge invites allied health professionals to present their innovative practices in a streamlined manner, bypassing the need for formal research proposals. “We’re asking individuals who are doing great things in everyday practice to put their ideas on paper, to submit them, and tell us how it’s making a difference,” Berard adds.
This approach encourages creativity and innovation from all levels of practice. “Many times, the most creative solutions come from allied healthcare professionals who are figuring out how to work around something or create an opportunity to help patients,” Sherifali says.
Inspiring Change and Advancing Care
Both Berard and Sherifali are enthusiastic about the K2A Challenge and its potential to drive meaningful change in diabetes care. “I’m really excited to see the voices of allied healthcare professionals be elevated through this challenge,” says Sherifali. The challenge not only recognizes their efforts but also provides them with the tools and resources to amplify their impact.
For allied health practitioners considering participation, the K2A Challenge represents a transformative opportunity to elevate their practice, gain national recognition, and contribute to the collective advancement of diabetes care. “The Innovations at the clinical level, whether in community or specialized diabetes clinics, can really bring forward great ideas that can be shared across Canada,” Sherifali concludes.
A Movement Towards Better Diabetes Care
In summary, the Knowledge to Action Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s a movement towards better diabetes care. It celebrates the dedication and ingenuity of allied health professionals, offering them a platform to share their successes and drive meaningful change in the field.
If you are an allied health professional passionate about diabetes care, now is the time to step forward, share your story, and be part of this inspiring journey. Now is the time for teams and individuals interested in sharing their own innovative concepts to register intent. To learn more, visit the link below.
Learn more about the K2A Diabetes Challenge
PRESENTED BY
The Knowledge to Action Challenge is presented by ICI Medical Communications in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. This project has been fully endorsed by our partner organizations Société des Sciences Vasculaires de Quebec, and CPD Network.