Innovative and patient focused, the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) program is a five-day group seminar for people with Type 1 diabetes. Led by Mater's specially trained diabetes educators and dietitians, the program teaches patients how to match and adjust their insulin doses to their diet and blood glucose levels.
"To see the patients improving over the week in front of your eyes, and at the end of the program when they say ‘you’ve changed my life', it's so rewarding," DAFNE program coordinator and Mater Dietician Brigid Knight, said.
“The trainers love doing the program and almost get as much out of it as the patients.”
Around 100 000 Australians are affected by Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition where the body fails to produce the hormone insulin, leading to glucose build-up in the blood. Traditional treatment is generally a prescribed and restrictive diet combined with fixed doses of insulin. The DAFNE program allows patients freedom and flexibility with their diet.
With the number of Australians affected by Type 1 diabetes on the rise, funding is crucial to the expansion of the program. Currently, the program depends on money from the community and external grants.
"Recent funding has allowed us to pilot two new programs: DAFNE for teens, and a condensed course of two half-days of face-to-face training plus support via phone and email," Brigid said.