Background:
The Australian Diabetes Educator (ADE) is the flagship publication of the ADEA. Commencing in 1981 as an annual newsletter it is now published quarterly with the most recent addition a peer review section commenced in 2011.

Aims:
To determine if the ADE:
• meets the readerships’ clinical needs and supports continuing professional development; and
• the format and style of delivery remains relevant in 2012.

Method:
A questionnaire was developed and piloted by the Editorial Advisory Committee. ADEA members were invited to participate in the online survey over four weeks, through a weekly email sent from the ADEA National Office. Quantitative data was collated using Microsoft Excel 2010. Qualitative data was analysed using an inductive approach which sourced emerging themes and patterns.

Results:
The response rate was 13.6% (n=232). The majority (86.7%) rated the publication highly with (85.3%) enjoying the recent addition of a peer review section deeming the content relevant to their clinical practice. The current format (87.1%) and layout (85.8%) was preferred by respondents. Improvements suggested were increasing the number of research and peer review articles, sequentially publishing articles without advertisements and rebranding its design.

Although we live in a world dominated by the internet, most respondents (73%) stated a preference to receive a hard copy of the publication in the mail rather than reading it online or receiving it via email.

The most favoured aspects of the ADE were its articles, research insights, peer reviews, ADEA news and credentialing updates. Suggested future topics included complex patient management, medications, mental health, diabetes self-management education, insulin pumps, diabetes in pregnancy, paediatric diabetes and international trends in diabetes management and care.

Conclusion:
The findings from this research will be used to develop future editions of the ADE.