Highlights from the Satellite Symposium of the IDF Consultative Section on Diabetes Education (DECs) at the International Diabetes Federation Congress, Helsinki, 19–20 July 1997. Closing the loop between educational research and clinical practice

The importance of attitudes and beliefs as determinants of self‐care and achieving good blood glucose emerged in most presentations over the two days of the DECs Symposium in Helsinki this year. Attitudes and beliefs of health professionals are as important as those of the people they care for.

The presentations at the Symposium underscored the fact that knowledge alone is not enough. There is a need to incorporate a process for assessing attitudes and beliefs into routine assessments.

“Successful education starts when the pupil is ready to learn,” said Trisha Dunning (Australia), Chairperson of DECs and Convenor of the DECs Symposium.