The Interprofessional Diabetes and Education Awareness (IDEA) community program

This report describes the Interprofessional Diabetes and Education Awareness (IDEA) program that was developed in partnership with the Broward County American Diabetes Association and Nova Southeastern University Health Profession's Division. The intent of the program is to increase engagement and collaboration of students and faculty from multiple professions in providing free community education related to diabetes prevention and management. The education is provided to individuals who are interested in knowing about diabetes, or who actually have a diagnosis. The presentations are done through lecture, active learning, table top displays and discussions, in a variety of community venues throughout an academic year, with the goal of increasing community awareness and appropriate management of diabetes. The variety of presentation methods are available to address different health literacy and age levels. Interprofessional health care groups of faculty and students meet the goals of increasing team functioning awareness and collaboration, as well as increased knowledge of diabetes in the community, as indicated by student focus group results at the end of the academic year. Participant surveys also overwhelmingly reveal satisfaction with the community presentations. Information regarding program replication is available through our Train the Trainer Coordinator – Alison Herman.