Theory is the cart, vision is the horse: Reflections on research in diabetes patient education

PURPOSE in this paper, we examine the nature of vision and the role it plays in hel ping educators identify and use theories productively We also discuss the r ole of theory in diabetes education and provide criteria for selecting appr opriate theories. METHODS The vision of diabetes education developed at the Michigan Diabetes Researc h and Training Center was used to illustrate how our vision has influenced our use of educational and behavioral theories. RESULTS Both our vision and our theretical assumptions should be articulated, discu ssed, debated, and studied. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes patient education research can systematically contribute to the de velopment of a sound, coherent, and progressive body of knowledge that will truly serve diabetes patient education.