Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute: About Us: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute?: The Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute is a new global initiative that will be a home for the diabetes family and a trusted place of diabetes learning that becomes a catalyst for diabetes innovation, improved care and better outcomes worldwide. Through this Institute, Johnson & Johnson will open and operate state-of-the-art instructional facilities around the world. Thousands of diabetes specialists in each country will receive customized training including the latest information about innovative practice models and ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies to meet the needs of patients and providers in their region.
What need does the Institute fill that isn't being met today?: Diabetes is a global pandemic, affecting more than 240 million people worldwide, and the human and economic burden of this disease is staggering. While the public health community is focusing on a range of efforts to improve diabetes outcomes, there is wide agreement that these efforts will only be successful if all members of the health team work together and follow a clear integrated strategy to manage and master diabetes. Our goal is to establish the Institute as a home for the diabetes family and trusted place of diabetes learning that becomes a catalyst for diabetes innovation, improved care and better outcomes worldwide. The Institute provides health care professionals with access to the latest information and skills training to deliver quality care at the community level, and do so in a care model that facilitates early glucose control and frequent follow-up.
Who leads the Institute?: Former Acting U.S. Surgeon General and public health expert, Dr. Kenneth P. Moritsugu, has joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies to oversee the Institute and develop other innovative programs and strategies that will help Johnson & Johnson companies and the health care community better address the delivery of diabetes care around the world. Dr. Moritsugu has Type 1 diabetes and thus, appreciates the many challenges facing patients today. Moreover, he has nearly four decades of experience in addressing international health challenges and working with international health care agencies.
What will the training consist of?: The curricula varies by location and is tailored to the needs of the health care professionals in each region. In general, courses emphasize ways to use existing diabetes tools and technologies in real time and innovative practice models to solve patient problems.
Who develops the curricula?: In each country, Johnson & Johnson companies work with the leading diabetes organizations and public health institutes to identify the topic areas. Then, a faculty including recognized diabetes experts in the country will participate in the design of the curricula.
Who are the instructors?: In each Institute, a faculty that includes nationally recognized diabetes experts teach the curricula.
How long is the training?: The curricula varies by region. However, in general, the training is conducted over a two- or three-day period and involves both classroom instruction and training in using new and existing technologies.
What types of health care professionals can attend the Institute?: While the decision about which professionals to train differs from country to country, the Institute focuses on those professionals who are the most likely to work directly with the patient—physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and diabetes educators—with the goal of making the entire health care team more effective and efficient across a greater number of patients.
Does the Institute offer continuing education credit for the course?: In the U.S., the curricula focuses primarily on the use of technology and Animas® and LifeScan product training. As a result, the curricula is not eligible for credit under the current ACCME guidelines, which specifically exclude product training. Outside the U.S., the Institute provides CE credits where allowed under local policies.
Wouldn't it be better to support the professional education programs conducted by academic centers and the diabetes organizations?: Our goal is to augment and complement existing efforts by reaching those health professionals on the front lines of diabetes care, such as physicians, diabetes educators, nurses, and physician assistants. Combined with the courses offered by academic centers and the leading diabetes organizations, the goal of the Institute is to provide training that increases the effectiveness of the entire health care team in meeting the needs of patients.
What role do your own products play in the training?: The diabetes products that Johnson & Johnson companies market—such as insulin pumps and blood glucose monitoring systems and software programs—are an integral part of effective diabetes therapy. Training on Animas insulin pumps and software and LifeScan blood glucose monitoring systems and diabetes management software is an important part of the Institute’s curricula. The goal is to provide the latest information and practical skills to enable health professionals to help their patients live healthier, longer lives.
How do you ensure the Institute doesn't become a marketing program to sell Johnson & Johnson products?: The mission of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute is to transform diabetes care from management to mastery. The quality and value of our curricula must stand on its own. We have enlisted leaders in diabetes care in each country to participate in developing and delivering training based on science, data, and evidence-based medicine. Our courses are intended to address the unmet needs for information and skills training of health professionals working at the community level. Johnson & Johnson companies have a strong track record and commitment to educating and training health care professionals on the use of our products. Some examples include The Vision Care Institute™, LLC. and the Ethicon Endo-Surgery Institute.
What do you expect health care professionals to do once they complete the program?: Ultimately our goal is to help graduates of the Institute improve patient outcomes by translating the skills and information they acquire at the Institute into their practices and their communities. Our hope is that graduates will think and act differently to manage their patients more effectively. This may include re-thinking how their practices are organized, using technology more effectively, and applying new insights into patient treatment.
When will the facilities be open?: Johnson & Johnson, working through its affiliated companies, opened Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute instructional facilities in Japan in late October 2007 and in the U.S. in Februrary 2008. These will be followed with the opening of centers in China and France by mid-2008. Future plans call for additional satellite sites as well as access to online education and training.
Where are the facilities located?: There are currently institutes in Tokyo, Japan and in the United States, located in Milpitas, California, a short drive from San Francisco. In 2008, additional facilities are planned for Paris, France, and Beijing, China.
Do you plan to reach out beyond the brick and mortar facilities with distance learning?: Our immediate priority is to develop and deliver courses in our physical Institute facilities. However, our future plans call for an expanded reach within countries and across the globe via distance learning offerings.
How much does it cost to attend the program?: There is no cost to the health care professional. The Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute is underwriting all program costs for health care professionals to attend the Institute, including travel and accommodations.
I am a health care professional who treats diabetes. How can I attend?: Each region has a process for recruiting and selecting attendees.