Diabetes guidelines unpacked: the changes that change practice

Diabetes care evolves at a relentless pace, and each year the major international guideline committees release updates that reshape how we diagnose, treat and support people living with diabetes. Yet for most busy clinicians, keeping up with these changes can feel overwhelming. The sheer volume of new evidence; spanning GLP-1s and dual agonists, cardiovascular and renal protection, technology integration, risk-factor optimisation and person-centred management, makes it difficult to distinguish what is truly practice-changing from what is simply “interesting.”

This Journal Club session brings the annual guideline review to life. Instead of a dry document summary, we translate the latest recommendations into real-world clinical decisions, focusing on what matters most for South African practice. We will unpack the priority shifts and rationale behind key updates, while highlighting areas where guidelines converge, diverge, or leave space for clinician judgement.

A special focus will be placed on how guideline changes can strengthen multidisciplinary teamwork, thereby clarifying roles across general practice, specialist nursing, pharmacy, dietetics, and allied health.

By the end of this session, participants should feel confident navigating the new landscape, identifying true guideline “game changers,” as well as applying key updates ethically, pragmatically and in alignment with patient values.

This is not about memorising a document, it’s about reimagining how guidelines can elevate everyday practice and improve outcomes for thousands of South Africans living with diabetes.