The authors state that based on a large number of high and low quality studies this review suggests that self-management education interventions are broadly more effective at reducing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes than usual care or minimal education interventions.
The NICE guidelines NG17 (Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management) and NG28 (Type 2 diabetes: management) recommend that people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are offered education programmes that develop knowledge and skills that help them to self manage their condition. NICE recommends an HbA1C level of 6.5%, unless the person is using medication that may cause low blood sugar levels, in which case the target should be 7.0%.