ABSTRACT
The revised standards developed by the International Diabetes Federation consultative section on diabetes education provide a basis to establish, evaluate and improve diabetes education. The International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes consensus guidelines describe how every child and young person has a right to comprehensive, expert, structured education, which should empower them and their families to take control of their diabetes. Whilst national and international standards describe the structure, process and outcomes of diabetes education, there is less specification on the curriculum or the content of diabetes education programmes. Alternatively, evening and weekends may conflict with social activities that a young person engages. In the United Kingdom, proposed changes to national tariffs and 'payment by results' recognise that structured education is an important component of care and changes in payment systems may enable a more multidisciplinary approach to diabetes education in the future.
