A previous study of patients attending a diabetic out‐patient clinic indicated that their metabolic control was inadequate and their knowledge of diabetes and diabetes management was generally low. In an attempt to improve the situation, we organized a five‐day education programme comprising formal lessons about diabetes, diet and nutrition. Altogether 83 patients completed the course. The test scores before and one year after the course indicated that the patients' knowledge had improved. Metabolic control, however, was essentially unchanged at the follow‐up.