Evidence-based best practice guidelines are produced to help health care practitioners and consumers make decisions about health care in specifi c clinical circumstances. Research has shown that if properly developed, communicated and implemented, guidelines can improve care. While they represent a statement of best practice based on the latest available evidence (at the time of publishing), they are not intended to replace the health care practitioner’s judgment in each individual case.

Care decisions agreed with a particular individual with diabetes should consider the following:

• the individual’s clinical state and circumstances such as age and co-morbidities
• preferences of the individual and their family/whänau, and the actions they are prepared to take
• current best practice based on the latest available research evidence.

The clinical expertise of the health care practitioner (including skills and experience) is key to integrating these elements, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for an individual.