Patient education and educational activity in the general public

In Japan, about 97% of diabetic patients suffer from non-insulin dependent diabetes. Because of its insidious onset, public education with regard to diabetes is very important. According to a survey in 1989, approximately 87% of diabetic patients were treated at hospitals. Considering the difficulty of organizing an educational team targetting small clinics, diabetes education should be provided with close cooperation between hospitals and local clinics. Since 1967, National Diabetes Week is annually held in the second week of November; in more than 150 cities and towns, lecture meetings, screening tests and consultation by physicians and health professionals are performed under the sponsorship of the Japan Diabetes Society and the Japan Association of Diabetes Care and Education. The Japan Diabetes Society has edited 'Diabetes Treatment Guide' and 'Meal Exchange List' since 1961 to provide the minimum requirement of knowledge and skill in the diabetes treatment regimen. More than 850 hospitals and clinics now have a particular educational program. Admission for the education of diabetic patients is provided by 366 hospitals. In 1991, summer camps for children were held at 37 sites, where about 1200 patients participated. For the training of the educators, the Japan Diabetes Society and several other organizations offer many lecture meetings and courses with experiential format; the curriculum for diabetes educators is expected to be much improved in the near future.