Outcomes research aimed at assessing the quality and effectiveness of health care as measured by the attainment of a specified end result or outcome. Measures include parameters such as improved health, lowered morbidity or mortality, and improvement of abnormal states. Outcomes research seeks to understand the end results of particular health care practices and interventions. Important outcome measures for diabetes health education include morbidity and mortality rates, incidence and progression of diabetic complications, and improvements in patient empowerment and quality of life. There are also a number of qualitative measures that can indicate the value and effectiveness of health education interventions. Outcome measures reflect the different stages of the disease in which the specialist nurse are involved. Primary outcomes are HbA1c, BP, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes are BMI; lipid levels, short-term and long-term diabetic complications, total and specific mortality rates, acute hospital admissions, attitude scales, patient satisfaction scores (patient empowerment and self efficacy), adverse effects, knowledge of disease, and health economics analysis. Specialist diabetes nurses provide education and support services to people with diabetes in many health care systems. A key goal is to help enable people to self-manage their diabetes. Patients in contact with specialist nurses are generally satisfied with the level of care that they receive and it is thought that patients often contact the specialist nurses in preference to their general practices. The impression is that this is because the specialist nurses can provide better information and advice than general practice staff. However, measurement of outcomes of receiving care from specialist nurses have not been reviewed. Thus, evidence of the benefits and effectiveness of the nurse specialist is required.