Thinking outside the box: Group program offers diabetes and nutrition education

Gauri Donald, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, and Amy Zheng, an Accredited Diabetes Educator, have been thinking outside the box when it comes to Type 2 Diabetes. They are both passionate about empowering their clients to make the changes they need to improve their blood glucose levels.

Last year, Gauri and Amy put together an after-hours diabetes group program to provide the middle-aged working client more opportunities to engage with hands-on, practical diabetes education and nutrition education. On the back of its success, they have subsequently offered another program this year.

Amy and Gauri had noted that their clients often felt overwhelmed trying to marry up nutrition information and blood glucose monitoring, and just a few sessions on their Chronic Condition Management Plan often were not enough to clarify all the confusion.

Gauri and Amy were surprised about the number of clients seeking connection with a group to feel renewed enthusiasm and strengthen engagement with their health. The program attracted not only newly diagnosed clients but also clients battling with diabetes burnout and needing a group to re-energise them in their health journey.

The program was conducted over 2-3 months with a 1-hour session from a dietitian and 1-hour session with a diabetes educator across four separate evenings. The group also received a free 2-week trial with Libre CGM. The clients were guided through and supported in how to evaluate the information of the CGM as part of the workshops.

In 2025, all 8 participants reported finding these sessions useful and motivating. Half the participants had some significant changes to their weight over the 3 months (1-5kg) and 4 participants had significant changes to their waist circumference (1-4cm).  More importantly many of the clients had improved HbA1c scores 3-6 months after the program was completed.

Comments from a 2025 participant: “I felt seen, understood, and supported in a way that made change feel both achievable and meaningful. Most importantly, connecting data, behaviour, and wellbeing has led to tangible, lasting improvements in my health, with positive changes that have continued well beyond our sessions.”

This year they had clients bring along colleagues and feel a real sense of community and empowerment to share their health stories and challenges within their social circles. The success has been in the changes to clients’ blood glucose levels. One client lost 2kg and 2cm off his waist, had a 0.4% drop in his HbA1c and had a reduction in his medications.

If you wish to refer clients to this program, send a referral to Amy Zheng or Gauri Donald at the Hornsby Madison Medical Practice at hornsby@themadisonmedicalpractice.com.au with subject: Diabetes Group Program. Please note, this program is only for those with diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus, and this is in addition to the allied health visits under the Chronic Condition GP Management Plan.