An overview of diabetes education in the United Kingdom: past, present and future

This paper examines the evolution of diabetes education from a time when it was viewed as an ad hoc event or even as an optional extra to one when it is now accepted as essential and central to successful self‐management. During the last 20 years there has been a transition from didactic teaching practices towards problem‐solving models which are based on modern principles of adult learning, and from one‐to‐one teaching towards group learning. The evolving role of the diabetes nurse specialist over the last two decades has been crucial in enabling these changes. The evidence base for different educational models needs further strengthening, but structured programmes for life‐long learning are now being developed. Important decisions are still needed on the provision and content of the training programmes for educators and on the mechanisms for the provision of quality assurance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.