In 1994, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
(AACE) developed a System of Intensive
Diabetes Self-Management. This system remains the centerpiece
of the AACE Medical Guidelines for the
Management of Diabetes Mellitus. A key component of
the AACE system of care is a patient-physician contract,
which maintains the preeminence of the patient-physician
relationship and the importance of the patient’s participation
in personal care. As stated therein, the duties of the
physician and the diabetes management team are to teach
and to help direct the patient’s own self-management.