Introduction - The information and education provided to people with diabetes, as well as the educational approach of their physicians, were examined using data from the 2007 Entred study. Methods - Following a self-administered postal survey of a representative sample of 8,926 patients with diabetes in mainland France, physicians whose patients had provided their contact information received a self-administered postal questionnaire. Results - A total of 4,296 people with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes (response rate: 48%) and 2,232 physicians responded to the survey on the "educational approach." Among patients: 80% reported being well-informed about their condition, with their physician being the primary source of information (83%); 77% would like additional information, mainly regarding diet (T2D) and rights and reimbursements (T1D). Thirty-six percent of T1D patients and 17% of T2D patients received supplementary education in addition to their usual medical care, sometimes in the form of in-depth individual consultations, rarely group sessions, and exceptionally via telephone support. In the future, 45% of T1D patients and 33% of T2D patients would like to receive additional educational support, primarily on an individual basis. For physicians (non-representative sample): the main challenge encountered is patient adherence to recommendations regarding diet (65%) and physical activity (64%). Two-thirds of physicians wish to coordinate their patients’ education; 23% of specialists and only 5% of general practitioners report providing dedicated therapeutic education consultations for the majority of their diabetic patients. Discussion - While the expressed need for information is significant, the desire for "educational" approaches applies to less than half of people with diabetes. These results call for increased awareness among patients and physicians regarding the importance of the educational approach. (R.A.)