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A Perth CDE has described a case study competition by ADEA and Abbott Laboratories as validating and celebrating the work of the profession and she paid tribute to her diabetes care client with whom she collaborated to secure a top prize.
Shona Vigus won the People’s Choice Award in the 2022 Abbott FreeStyle living with diabetes: learning from case studies competition for her case study FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring in someone living with type 3c diabetes.
The case study discussed the useful role of flash glucose monitoring in managing type 3c diabetes where diabetes management sits alongside cancer treatment.
Ms Vigus’ client, Ron*, was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2020 with a background of type 2 diabetes not requiring medication.
‘Ron died peacefully with his wife beside him earlier this year,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘When we agreed to enter the competition, we made a deal that we would split any cash prizes 50-50.
‘Ron bought himself a new coffee machine with his share and I like to think that he and his wife enjoyed plenty of coffees and times together in his last months of life.’
Ms Vigus said she attended Ron’s funeral and learnt more about this man she had come to respect and admire through working with him on the case study presentation, as well as collaborating on his diabetes management.
Perth CDE Shona Vigus with her father, Steve Cole.
As for her receiving the award, she said presenting her case studies with the other finalists ‘was a very bonding experience’.
‘We sat together in the presentation and cheered for each other as names were read,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘When there were only two names left and they didn’t call my name, I was shocked and thrilled – I had won!
‘My new friend who had come second in the competition whispered kind words of congratulations before going up to receive her second-place certificate.
‘It was a fantastic experience and I was glad I had made the effort to be a part of the case study competition.’
Ms Vigus praises the initiative for giving ‘an opportunity for CDEs to showcase the work they do and the skills and knowledge they have’.
She said it was a ‘very reflective experience’ and ‘extremely worthwhile’, particularly ‘thinking through the way in which various patients have taken on new skills or knowledge, the things I have learned personally from my interactions with patients, and the ways in which my practice has changed or improved from collaborative care’.
‘I also love reading the other case studies and learning from my peers – some of the case studies will reflect similar patients and situations that I have encountered and some will be vastly different,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘It’s always so interesting and makes me proud to be a CDE. The competition validates and celebrates our work.’
The WA-based health practitioner encourages her fellow CDEs to enter this year’s competition.
‘If you are thinking about entering, then challenge yourself and do it,’ she said.
‘It does take some time, but it is such a valuable learning exercise.
‘Often as CDEs, we work in our own setting and don’t always have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other CDEs.
‘The competition is a chance to show what you are doing and share your insights and skills with your peers. I am looking forward to reading the 2023 case studies!’
The 2023 edition of the competition recently launched and will close at 11.59pm on May 15.
ADEA members may enter via this link.
*Individual has been deidentified for confidentiality.
A Perth CDE has described a case study competition by ADEA and Abbott Laboratories as validating and celebrating the work of the profession and she paid tribute to her diabetes care client with whom she collaborated to secure a top prize.
Shona Vigus won the People’s Choice Award in the 2022 Abbott FreeStyle living with diabetes: learning from case studies competition for her case study FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring in someone living with type 3c diabetes.
The case study discussed the useful role of flash glucose monitoring in managing type 3c diabetes where diabetes management sits alongside cancer treatment.
Ms Vigus’ client, Ron*, was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2020 with a background of type 2 diabetes not requiring medication.
‘Ron died peacefully with his wife beside him earlier this year,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘When we agreed to enter the competition, we made a deal that we would split any cash prizes 50-50.
‘Ron bought himself a new coffee machine with his share and I like to think that he and his wife enjoyed plenty of coffees and times together in his last months of life.’
Ms Vigus said she attended Ron’s funeral and learnt more about this man she had come to respect and admire through working with him on the case study presentation, as well as collaborating on his diabetes management.
Perth CDE Shona Vigus with her father, Steve Cole.
As for her receiving the award, she said presenting her case studies with the other finalists ‘was a very bonding experience’.
‘We sat together in the presentation and cheered for each other as names were read,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘When there were only two names left and they didn’t call my name, I was shocked and thrilled – I had won!
‘My new friend who had come second in the competition whispered kind words of congratulations before going up to receive her second-place certificate.
‘It was a fantastic experience and I was glad I had made the effort to be a part of the case study competition.’
Ms Vigus praises the initiative for giving ‘an opportunity for CDEs to showcase the work they do and the skills and knowledge they have’.
She said it was a ‘very reflective experience’ and ‘extremely worthwhile’, particularly ‘thinking through the way in which various patients have taken on new skills or knowledge, the things I have learned personally from my interactions with patients, and the ways in which my practice has changed or improved from collaborative care’.
‘I also love reading the other case studies and learning from my peers – some of the case studies will reflect similar patients and situations that I have encountered and some will be vastly different,’ Ms Vigus said.
‘It’s always so interesting and makes me proud to be a CDE. The competition validates and celebrates our work.’
The WA-based health practitioner encourages her fellow CDEs to enter this year’s competition.
‘If you are thinking about entering, then challenge yourself and do it,’ she said.
‘It does take some time, but it is such a valuable learning exercise.
‘Often as CDEs, we work in our own setting and don’t always have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other CDEs.
‘The competition is a chance to show what you are doing and share your insights and skills with your peers. I am looking forward to reading the 2023 case studies!’
The 2023 edition of the competition recently launched and will close at 11.59pm on May 15.
ADEA members may enter via this link.
*Individual has been deidentified for confidentiality.
