UW Medicine Diabetes Update for Primary Care

Overview

The UW Medicine Diabetes Update for Primary Care 2026 is a comprehensive, evidence-based educational program designed to provide primary care clinicians with the latest advancements in diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and management. Developed by experts at UW Medicine, this two-day course delivers practical, up-to-date guidance tailored to real-world clinical settings.

With the rising global prevalence of diabetes, there is an increasing need for clinicians to stay informed on evolving standards of care. This program addresses that need through structured, clinically relevant content focused on modern classification systems, updated treatment guidelines, and emerging therapeutic strategies. Special emphasis is placed on pharmacologic innovations, insulin therapy, cardiovascular risk reduction, and the management of type 1 diabetes within primary care.

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Accurately identify and differentiate types of diabetes using patient history, physical examination, laboratory data, and social determinants of health
• Develop and implement individualized lifestyle interventions, including nutrition and physical activity plans, supported by patient education and interprofessional collaboration
• Evaluate both new and established pharmacologic therapies and apply appropriate prescribing, monitoring, and patient counseling strategies
• Apply evidence-based approaches to managing type 1 diabetes in primary care, including insulin use, glucose monitoring, and prevention of acute complications
• Initiate and titrate insulin therapy using case-based methods for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Identify and manage cardiometabolic comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic liver disease, including appropriate referral and follow-up strategies
• Strengthen interprofessional communication, documentation, and care coordination to improve patient outcomes and continuity of care

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Target Audience

This program is intended for healthcare professionals involved in diabetes management, including:

• Physicians and family practitioners
• Nurse practitioners and nurses
• Pharmacists
• Physician associates
• Naturopathic physicians
• Healthcare students

It is particularly beneficial for primary care providers seeking practical updates in diabetes pharmacotherapy, continuous glucose monitoring, and complication management.

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Course Topics

The curriculum includes a broad range of clinically focused topics, including:

• Continuous glucose monitoring: implementation and practical use
• Diagnosis of typical and atypical forms of diabetes
• Lifestyle and exercise prescriptions for individuals with diabetes
• Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: initiation and optimization
• Comprehensive lifestyle management strategies
• Lipid management in patients with diabetes
• Management of type 1 diabetes in primary care
• Updates in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
• Appropriate use of legacy diabetes therapies
• Hypertension management in patients with diabetes
• Case-based approaches to insulin therapy
• Screening and management of diabetes-related complications
• Advances in SGLT2 inhibitors and their expanded clinical benefits
• Updates on incretin-based therapies for type 2 diabetes
• Integration of continuous glucose monitoring into routine care

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Specialties and Focus Areas

• Endocrinology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Chronic Disease Management

This program is designed to enhance clinical competence, support team-based care, and improve patient-centered outcomes in diabetes management across diverse healthcare settings.