Understand the care model and infrastructure of diabetes as a chronic disease and the management from primary to tertiary care. Understand the management of diabetes care and gain a comprehensive understanding of its various treatments. Observe and experience some of the cutting edge diabetes management tools. Interact with diabetes educators from all disciplines (nursing, nutrition, exercise, physiology) and other health care providers per the JoslinCare model. Draw on extensive Joslin training to enhance outcomes for your patients.

• Describe common misunderstandings patients/providers have about diabetes.
• Identify the key lab values and target lab values for patient care.
• Discuss basic meal and exercise planning for type 2 diabetes.
• Describe types, actions and side effects of diabetes medicines.
• Review skills necessary for patients to acquire for self-care, i.e. insulin, self-blood glucose monitoring (SBGM).
• Create a personal action plan for improving your own diabetes teaching skills.
• Identify a set of patient education resources.

Some specific program activities have been listed below as an example of what may be available to participants:

• Observations with multi-disciplinary clinic, and group education programs
• Attend conferences and grand rounds at Joslin Diabetes Center and across the Longwood Medical Area on various topics related to endocrinology and diabetes
• Observe patient education classes at the Joslin Clinic

Based on the areas of interest expressed by the observer the following areas maybe observed:

• General Diabetes
• Pregnancy Clinic
• Nephrology
• Geriatrics
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise Physiology
• Group Education Classes
• Diabetes Technologies
  • Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
  • Insulin Pumps

While the Joslin Diabetes Observership Program (JDOP) is best suited for those who are currently working in the area of endocrinology and diabetes, we customize the experience based on each individual's knowledge, goals, and interests.

The rotation is open to all healthcare professionals including physicians and advanced practitioners, medical students, nurses, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, and other visitors who are not affiliated with Joslin Diabetes Center, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Harvard Medical School, who wish to observe the multidisciplinary approach of the Joslin Diabetes Center.

• Proficiency in English
• Required documents:
  • Application form
  • Essay (500 words or less) detailing goals and specific focus of desired training, including specific specialties and programs to observe and/or skills to learn.
  • Letter of recommendation
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and/or current college transcript
  • Health and security clearance required prior to the start of the rotation

Cost varies per experience, and length of stay is no more than two weeks.

Included in cost:

• Clinical rotations in general diabetes clinic.
• The program offers observations of our educational programs, and the opportunity to shadow many one-on-one appointments with our RNs, RDs, EPs, and MDs/NPs.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. We require three months to process an application and arrange a visitor’s schedule. We do our best to accommodate requested dates and areas of interest, however this may not always be possible due to faculty availability and high demand.

Access and complete the Observership Program Application here.