People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in NICE's information on making decisions about your care.
Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off-label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.
Healthcare professionals should follow our general guidelines for people delivering care:
Read this guideline alongside the NHS Type 2 diabetes Path to Remission Programme.
Offer structured education to adults with type 2 diabetes and their family members or carers (as appropriate) at the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review. Explain to people that structured education is an integral part of diabetes care. [2009]
Ensure that any structured education programme for adults with type 2 diabetes:
is evidence-based, and suits the needs of the person
has specific aims and learning objectives, and supports the person and their family members and carers to develop attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and skills to self-manage diabetes
has a structured curriculum that is theory driven, evidence-based and resource-effective, has supporting materials and is written down
is delivered by trained educators who:
have an understanding of educational theory appropriate to the age and needs of the person
are trained and competent to deliver the principles and content of the programme
is quality assured, and reviewed by trained, competent, independent assessors who measure it against criteria that ensure consistency
has outcomes that are audited regularly. [2015]
Ensure that education programmes for adults with type 2 diabetes provide the necessary resources to support the educators, and that educators are properly trained and given time to develop and maintain their skills. [2009]
Offer adults with type 2 diabetes group education programmes as the preferred option. Provide an alternative of equal standard for people who are unable or prefer not to take part in group education. [2009]
Ensure that education programmes for adults with type 2 diabetes meet the cultural, linguistic, cognitive and literacy needs of people in the local area. [2009]
Ensure that all members of the diabetes healthcare team are familiar with the education programmes available locally for adults with type 2 diabetes, and that these programmes are integrated with the rest of the care pathway. [2009]
Ensure that adults with type 2 diabetes and their family members and carers (as appropriate) have the opportunity to contribute to the design and provision of local education programmes for adults with type 2 diabetes. [2009]