EDUCATION OF PATIENT WITH DIABETES

Since most chronic diseases cannot be cured, they must be managed in the home, at school, at work, on vacation, and elsewhere on a 24 hour a day basis, not by the physician or other health professionals, but by the patient. As one recognizes these changes in the responsibilities required of patients, one must develop new approaches to provide quality comprehensive health care appropriate to their changing needs. Education and participation of the patient is an integral part of quality health services. That this concept is becoming increasingly apparent is well documented by consumer demand, policy statements by professional associations, recent health legislation, accreditation reviews, and programs designed to assess quality of care.