Learn more about all things insulin: from how it works, to insulin types, to side effects and guidance on how to prescribe safely. The current spend on diabetes care by the NHS is estimated to be £1.6 million pounds per hour. 80% of this is spent on managing diabetes complications, the risk of which can be significantly reduced through effective blood glucose control using insulin.

Enroll in course

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This course will increase your knowledge about insulin covering safe prescribing, effective clinical use and how different insulins work. If you are a healthcare professional it will equip you with the skills to help you reduce insulin-related errors or if you have diabetes it should show you why insulin is so important for living well.

What topics will you cover?

• An introduction to insulin and diabetes

• How the body controls blood glucose concentrations

• How insulin works and what happens in diabetes

• Types of insulin available for clinical use

• Clinical indications for using insulin

• Administration of insulin

• Factors affecting insulin performance

• The side effects of insulin

What will you achieve?

- Describe how insulin works to control blood glucose levels

- Explain why a lack or reduced effectiveness insulin in diabetes results in high blood glucose levels and how long term high blood glucose levels can lead to complications in diabetes

- Compare the different types of insulins and their clinical uses

- Describe how to prescribe and administer insulin safely

- Identify the side effects of insulin and other factors that can affects its clinical performance

- Explain how the safe and correct use of insulin can lead to well controlled diabetes and contribute to a good quality of life