The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of diabetic teaching using methods of videotape instruction in the hospital. The study focused on measuring the amount of knowledge gained between diabetic patients who viewed a videotape program with and without the presence of a health educator. Data collected for each patient consisted of: age, sex, method of regulating their diabetes i.e. (insulin, oral pills and diet), degree of impairment during hospitalization, number of years each patient has known to have diabetes, prior hospitalization because of diabetes, prior diabetic education, and prior viewing of a videotape on avoiding diabetic complications. In a pre-test/post-test design, 32 patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients in group I received diabetic teaching using a videotape program without a health educator present, while patients in group II received diabetic teaching using a videotape program along with a health educator present. The post-test was administered on the day following the teaching. A significant increase in knowledge scores (p < .05) was demonstrated on the post-tests taken on the day after viewing the videotape program. A comparison was made between the two groups and results showed no significant difference in knowledge gain between them. It was interesting to note that the presence of the educator was apparently needed for significant knowledge gain scores (F = 7. 13, p < .05) in subjects who had reported to have had prior diabetic education compared to the group of subjects who reported that they had received no previous diabetic education. It would seem that the increased knowledge should serve as a first step to improved health. However, this study in no way demonstrated that the knowledge did lead to improved diabetic control. Perhaps the greatest success of the video program was that the patients expressed an interest in viewing the program and learning about the avoidance of diabetic complications. / M.S.