WHO-led therapeutic patient education curriculum for diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
A new publication co-authored by Drs Jorge Cesar Correia and Zoltan Pataky presents the development of a WHO-led therapeutic patient education (TPE) curriculum designed to strengthen diabetes care across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).
The article describes a multi-phase, evidence-informed process that combined systematic literature review, regional stakeholder consultations, implementation science approaches, and the perspectives of people living with diabetes to create a structured, competency-based curriculum for healthcare professionals.
The curriculum was developed in response to the growing burden of diabetes in the EMR and the need for more consistent, person-centred approaches to diabetes self-management education. Moving beyond traditional didactic models, it promotes participatory and empowering educational methods such as peer learning, role play, and co-construction of knowledge.
Structured around eight modules, the curriculum addresses key aspects of diabetes management, behavioural change, self-care, and culturally adapted care practices. It also includes context-specific components, such as guidance related to Ramadan and fasting, reflecting the importance of culturally responsive diabetes education.
A major strength of the initiative is its alignment with the WHO Therapeutic Patient Education competency framework, integrating biomedical, psychosocial, and behavioural dimensions of care. In addition, the project includes an implementation guide based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), providing practical strategies to support integration into diverse healthcare systems and real-world clinical settings.
Although initially developed for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the curriculum was intentionally designed as a flexible and adaptable model with potential relevance for low-, middle-, and high-income settings worldwide.
The authors highlight that future work will focus on piloting and evaluating the curriculum in diverse contexts to assess its impact on patient outcomes, healthcare systems, and long-term diabetes self-management support.
Reference:
“Development of a therapeutic patient education curriculum for healthcare professionals to improve diabetes care in the Eastern Mediterranean region”
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2026.103431