The added value of therapy in diabetes: The education of patients for self-management of their disease

The long-term success of diabetes therapy is strongly dependent on education of the patient. Considerable emphasis and effort has been directed at this dimension of treatment by healthcare providers (HCPs) in the field of diabetology. Education of patients is not aimed at making them more knowledgable about their disease, but to help them better manage their treatment and adapt the diabetes control to the constant changes in daily life, Patient education is a complex process, and many factors may interfere with the patient's understanding. There is growing awareness among HCPs that more knowledge and skill have to be acquired in the field of therapeutic education of patients. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.