Action research is potentially a useful method for changing clinical practice by involvingpractitioners in the process of change. The aim of this study was to explore the utility ofaction research in bridging the gap between research and practice. Diabetes educatorsin collaboration with researchers developed and implemented a participatory, group-based diabetes education program in a diabetes clinic in the Danish health care system.The research process included a variety of qualitative methods: workshops, classroomobservations, video recordings and semi-structured interviews. These methods aimedat obtaining contextual sensitivity, allowing dynamic interactions with educators andpeople with diabetes. Despite challenges, the study demonstrates how action researchmethods contribute to development and change of diabetes education practice whilesimultaneously adding knowledge to the action research community