Book excerpt: Life with Diabetes has given thousands of healthcare professionals the tools they need to facilitate behavior change and become effective teachers and counselors. This series of teaching outlines was developed and tested by the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, affiliated with the Department of Medical Education of the University of Michigan Medical School. Previous editions of this teaching curriculum have been used by thousands of educators in diabetes clinics to help their patients understand and live with the many challenges of diabetes. This newly revised edition contains up-to-date information in a structured, patient-centered curriculum to help diabetes professionals create customized lessons and deliver high-quality diabetes self-management education. Each chapter offers a detailed and complete guide to teaching a different diabetes topic, but still allows each educator to speak to patients in his or her own voice at an appropriate pace. Additional features include illustrations and visual teaching aids, patient handouts, participant assessments, education records, and an extensive support material section that helps educators customize and manage their programs. Key patient education topics covered include: Diabetes nutrition and meal planning Blood glucose management Physical activity Oral medications and insulin Behavior change and problem solving Long-term diabetes complications This new edition is presented in a convenient 3-ring binder format, giving educators more flexibility to customize the curriculum to meet their patients' needs. The comprehensive curriculum has also been updated to meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Life with Diabetes is the book that diabetes educators and clinicians need to provide complete care to their diabetes patients.