PURPOSE This study was intended to examine the effects of a telephone consulting program on self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. METHOD Sixty-eight NIDDM patients participated. Thirty-six were assigned to the experimental group and received the telephone consulting program from one to two times per week for 4 weeks. This program was undertaken by base on small booklet relating to diabetic disease summary, diet, drug, exercise, foot management, prevention and treatment of complications, and insulin injection methods. RESULT 1. Hypothesis 1 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-efficacy score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported (t=5.12, p= .000). 2. Hypothesis 2 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-care score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported(t=5.29, p= .000). CONCLUSION The telephone consulting program improved self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. Accordingly, this program can be adopted as an effective nursing intervention in the care of the diabetic patients.