As part of the Master’s in Advanced Paediatrics and Child Health, the module ‘Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes’, is an advanced online training course for physicians, paediatricians, nurses, nutritionists, dieticians, physiotherapists, and other health care professionals involved in paediatric care looking to acquire up to date knowledge about the auxological and physiological characteristics of the healthy child, and the main childhood diseases. Its aim is to illustrate the physiology and anatomy of children, and the complexities of common and rare pathologies, with an emphasis on development, diagnosis, auxological and endocrinological findings and therapeutic management.  

On completion of the module ‘Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes’, students will have the know-how and experience to evaluate and care for paediatric patients, particularly those with endocrine diseases and diabetes in their country of origin.  

A further aim of the programme is to support training for physicians, paediatricians, nurses, and other health care professionals involved in paediatric care, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries whose health care systems are suboptimal.  We hope to create research networks and diagnostic and clinical support structures with a particular focus on auxological and endocrinological problems in children and adolescents. Students who have citizenship and work in the following countries are exempts from registration fees: Mauritania, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Uganda, Ruanda, Burundi, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Chad, Mali, Niger, Mozambique, Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia, Albania, Afghanistan.

Target and Educational Aims

Overview The E-learning Master’s in Advanced Paediatrics and Child health, module of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, is intended for professionals specialising in child health. The comprehensive 10-month programme is worth 60 credits on the ECTS (European Transfer Credit System). The curriculum incorporates elements of the Global Pediatric Education Consortium curriculum, European Training Syllabus in Paediatric Endocrinology produced by ESPE (European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology), and the International Curriculum for Diabetes Health Professional Education produced by the International Diabetes Federation and, therefore, meets the highest international standards for paediatrics, endocrinology and diabetes education.

 Target 

 The E-learning Master’s in Advanced Paediatrics and Child Health, module of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, is practical and clinically focused. Course content and structure are designed to give professionals greater confidence and understanding of the child's physiology, as well as the management of patients with the main paediatric diseases, particularly endocrine disorders and diabetes, through traditional and interactive learning, internet-based training activities, case studies and discussion. Since the incidence of endocrinological diseases and diabetes is growing worldwide, emphasis is placed on tackling these diseases in multidisciplinary teams.

This course will help you develop the skills you need to access information independently and use it to critically assess, evaluate and disseminate evidence related to childcare and paediatric endocrine care, and equip you with the knowledge necessary to deliver first rate diabetes care.

We aim to help you develop creative, problem-solving approaches to complex clinical situations, and become competent in the delivery of care to paediatric patients including those with endocrinological problems. Although the Master’s is taught online, it is closely linked to paediatric practice in Italy because of its strong connections with Meyer Children’s University Hospital in Florence, Italy.

As one of the objectives of the Master’s in Advanced Paediatrics and Child Health, module of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, is to support a training in Paediatrics and Paediatric Healthcare in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries whose health care systems are suboptimal, registration is free-of-charge for a maximum of 30 students who are citizens of one of the following countries and who carry out their professional activity there: Mauritania, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo-Brazzaville, Tanzania, Kenya, Chad, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia, Albania, Afghanistan.

The availability of places is subject to the effective activation of the Master’s, pursuant to art. 8 of the Rector’s Decree, establishing the Master’s.

Educational aims Students will gain understanding of the principles of evidence-based paediatrics, focusing on Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and of the impact of molecular genetics on diagnosis and management of the child and family. They will develop an awareness of current and future developments in paediatrics and child health, particularly in paediatric endocrinology and diabetes and gain the skills necessary for independent research.

 At the end of the programme, you will have an in-depth understanding of:

 - the scientific principles underlying the regulation of growth and development, the child's physiology, as well as the endocrine system and maintenance of homeostasis, including energy metabolism;

- the effective use of currently available diagnostic and assessment tools as well as therapeutic options in the management of the main paediatric diseases, as well as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic and endocrine diseases;

- the importance of psychological, cognitive and behavioural aspects in the development and management of the main chronic paediatric diseases;    

- the importance of care management and continuous quality improvement, with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine and patient education using a holistic and multidisciplinary approach;

- the latest advances and controversies in both clinical and basic research programmes in the field of paediatrics, as well as endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, and their relevance to clinical practice;

- the critical appraisal of published data and articles in the field of paediatrics, diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism;

- the conceptualization, design and implementation of clinical research programmes with effective data analysis, interpretation and publication.