Enhancing diabetes management in rural and remote areas through academic–clinical partnership: an innovative workshop model for primary healthcare professionals

Background Diabetes has a greater impact on people living in rural and remote Australia because of limited access to specialist diabetes services and ongoing workforce shortages. Primary healthcare professionals in these regions play a central role in diabetes care, but they often lack targeted training and professional support. Innovation This project introduced a co-designed, face-to-face workshop model to build clinical skills, strengthen confidence in culturally responsive communication and foster professional networks among rural healthcare workers. Developed through an academic–clinical partnership with health organisations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the workshops used evidence-based teaching methods to improve professional development tailored to the realities of rural primary healthcare needs. Methods Two full-day workshops took place in Queensland and New South Wales in 2024. A pretest–posttest survey design was used to evaluate the workshops, assessing changes in clinical confidence and professional engagement. Of 120 participants, 73 completed post-workshop surveys, and 48 provided matched pre- and post-workshop data. Impact Participants reported substantial increases in clinical confidence, particularly in using diabetes technologies (+72.4%) and understanding recent advances (+66.5%). Notably, 96.3% reported enhanced professional connections, with 87.0% intending to maintain them post-workshop. High levels of participants’ satisfaction and partner support highlight the model’s potential for broader implementation. Conclusion This innovative workshop model addresses critical gaps in diabetes care training for rural health professionals by integrating clinical education, culturally responsive communication skills and opportunities for peer support. It offers a sustainable approach to rural health workforce development that aligns with national rural health priorities, and supports quality improvement in primary health care.