Iranian Journal of Medical Education

Introduction: WHO requires governments to train and utilize the services of non-physician personnel, especially nurses in managing chronic diseases including diabetes. This study aimed to develop a postgraduate diabetes nursing curriculum in line with the accountable education package.

Methods: This study was conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2014 -15 based on Kern’s curriculum planning model steps in two stages: needs assessment (the first step of Kern’s curriculum planning) and curriculum development (the second to sixth steps of Kern’s curriculum planning). Needs assessment was performed using a modified Delphi technique and curriculum development was conducted in cooperation with curriculum specialists and faculty members in the field of diabetes teaching and treatment through holding multiple specialized panels and individual consultations in several stages. For data analysis, qualitative content analysis was used in the first Delphi round and descriptive statistics was used in the second and third rounds.

Results: From the participants’ viewpoints, tasks and roles of diabetes nurse were classified into 6 categories, 9 subcategories and 81 tasks in domains of knowledge and awareness, education, caring and treatment, management and social accountability. Curriculum development for postgraduate diabetes nursing program was achieved according to the decisions of Supreme Council for Medical Education and Ministry of Health and Medical Education and postgraduate statute in four chapters including “curriculum general characteristics, curriculum detailed characteristics, courses characteristics and curriculum evaluation”.

Conclusion: The proposed curriculum was introduced to Specialized Council for Medical Education, Ministry of Health and Medical Education for establishing a new academic major.