Book review: Oxford Handbook of Diabetes Nursing (2nd edition)

The second edition of the Oxford Handbook of Diabetes Nursing, edited by Nicola Milne and Teffy Thomas, provides a comprehensive and practical guide to contemporary diabetes care. As part of the well-established Oxford Handbook series, the text aims to offer concise yet reliable guidance for clinical practice. This updated edition expands its scope beyond nursing, making it relevant to the wider multidisciplinary team involved in diabetes management and reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of modern care.

The handbook is clearly designed for healthcare professionals working in diabetes care, including specialist nurses, general nurses, allied health professionals and trainees seeking a reliable clinical reference. Its accessible layout and portable format make it well suited for use in practice settings, allowing quick access to specific topics when needed. 

One of the book’s greatest strengths is the extent of its coverage. It explores the complexities and ongoing developments in diabetes management while maintaining a strong emphasis on individualised care. It includes topics that are often underrepresented in similar texts, such as disordered eating, female sexual dysfunction and evolving models of diabetes service delivery. These additions demonstrate a welcome acknowledgement of the psychosocial and holistic aspects of diabetes care.

The content is generally clear, well structured and sufficiently detailed given the handbook format. Chapters are well referenced, allowing readers to explore the evidence base in greater depth, where required. Diagrams and tables are appropriately used to enhance understanding, although in some cases the font size is so small that it presents difficulty for the reader. The handbook succeeds in providing a solid foundation of knowledge and practical guidance.

A limitation to note is the rapidly evolving nature of diabetes care. Since publication of this second edition, updated guidelines and emerging technologies have further shaped practice. Although this does not significantly lessen the book’s value, readers will need to enhance the information with the most recent national or international guidance to ensure fully up-to-date practice.

Overall, the Oxford Handbook of Diabetes Nursing (2^nd edition) is a well-constructed and clinically useful resource. It provides a balanced combination of practical guidance and evidence-based discussion, with strengths in its holistic approach and inclusion of less frequently addressed topics. Despite the minor limitations noted above, it remains a worthwhile resource for healthcare professionals seeking a reliable, accessible reference in diabetes care.