Table 2 Criteria for inclusion and exclusion

Study center

• Suitable premises and technical equipment

• Located in Germany

• Designation of a certified diabetes educator (CDE) with adequate expertise in diabetes management

• CDE’s participation in the Train-the-Trainer program

• Healthcare facilities specializing in the treatment of diabetes in hospitals

Participating relatives

• Relatives of patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2

• Spouses, partners, or family members who live together with the diabetes patient

• Aged at least 18 years

• Dementia or other severe cognitive or physical diseases, which impede regular attendance

• Insufficient level of German

• Shift work

• More than one close relative suffering from diabetes

• Relatives who are themselves diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

Participating patients

• Aged at least 18 years

• Inability to fill out the questionnaires

• Insufficient level of German