The world is witnessing an increase in new cases of
diabetes, in both the developed and the developing
nations, of near epidemic proportion. This ubiquitous
condition will have an ever-increasing impact on all
aspects of medicine and public health. It follows that
all practicing physicians must seek to gain at least a
basic knowledge and understanding of this important
global health problem that is so closely linked to the
increasing prevalence of obesity.
Diabetes is the paradigm of a condition that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to its management
and treatment. Primary care physicians, hospital physicians, surgeons, nurses, dieticians, psychologists, podiatrists and ophthalmologists are all drawn into this
process. In addition, medical students and postgraduate doctors need to learn about diabetes and its protean manifestations.