Standards of medical care for patients with diabetes mellitus.

D iabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of longterm complications. People with diabetes should receive their treatment and care from physicians with expertise and a special interest in diabetes. The following standards define basic (minimum) medical care for people with diabetes. These standards are not intended to preclude more extensive evaluation and management of the patient. For more detailed information refer to Physician's Guide to Insulin-Dependent {Type I) Diabetes: Diagnosis and Treatment and Physician's Guide to Non-lnsulin-Dependent (Type II) Diabetes: Diagnosis and Treatment.