Diabetes Care Requires Collaboration – Metropolia Trains Multidisciplinary Experts

Diabetes is a growing public health issue in Finland, and improving its treatment requires multidisciplinary collaboration. At Metropolia, professionals in diabetes care are trained across fields such as nursing, optometry, and podiatry. A diabetes seminar held at the Myllypuro campus in November brought together experts and students from Finland and Estonia to learn about Metropolia’s approach.

At Metropolia, prevention, treatment, research, and rehabilitation related to diabetes are approached through an interdisciplinary perspective. Students practice diabetes care across multiple fields already during their studies. Metropolia is the only higher education institution in Finland that trains nurses, podiatrists, and optometrists on the same campus.

There are already around 500,000 people with diabetes in Finland, and the number is increasing as the population ages. Päivi Nokipii, Senior Lecturer in Metropolia’s Optometry degree program, explains that this growth creates a need for new skills and treatment approaches.

"Diabetes care pathways are strengthened through multidisciplinary collaboration, which enables earlier detection and more effective guidance to treatment," Nokipii describes.

Nokipii notes that optometry plays a key role in the early detection of diabetes because the disease causes changes in the retina. Diabetes is also closely linked to foot health, as it can lead to impaired peripheral circulation and nerve damage, increasing the risk of skin and tissue injuries and other complications. Podiatry plays a crucial role in identifying these risks early and preventing and treating them.

Students practice multidisciplinary diabetes care at Metropolia’s HyMy Village, where they work with real patient cases under the supervision of teachers. Metropolia collaborates with organizations such as the Finnish Diabetes Association, which refers its members to HyMy Village services.

Seminar Brought Together International Diabetes Care Experts

The diabetes seminar held at Metropolia in November featured topical presentations and strengthened international collaboration. Participants included students from Metropolia’s English-language nursing program and students and teachers from Tallinn Health Care College in Estonia. During the seminar, attendees also had the opportunity to explore Metropolia’s simulation facilities, where realistic care scenarios are practiced.

"A similar seminar was held at Tallinn Health Care College last year, and the goal is to continue this international collaboration in the future," Nokipii highlights.

For more information:

Päivi Nokipii,
Senior Lecturer, Optometry and Oral Health Team
Paivi.Nokipii [at] metropolia.fi (Paivi[dot]Nokipii[at]metropolia[dot]fi)