Development of new educational strategies for the person with diabetes.

Educational strategies for the person with diabetes must be made on the basis of a comprehensive patient assessment. This should include the patient's treatment goals and beliefs about diabetes as well as an evaluation of life style and medical variables. Targeted teaching focuses on the patient's beliefs and goals while phasing in the information included in the traditional approach to diabetes teaching in four steps. The first step provides the patient with an understanding about diabetes and its pathophysiology. The second step introduces the relationship between food intake and diabetes control. By the third step, the patient has the knowledge and skills to set therapy goals. The fourth step involves a continuous evaluation of progress and reassessment of behavioral goals.