Abstract

Early intervention and the avoidance or delay of progression to type 2 diabetes is of enormous benefit to patients in terms of increasing life expectancy and quality of life, and potentially in economic terms for society and health-care payers. In June 2007 the American Diabetes Association released the revised national standards for diabetes self-management education (DSME), requiring a shift from the traditional didactic teaching style to a more action-oriented, patient-centered method of education. The Diabetes Conversation Map is a large tabletop display engaging up to 10 patients, using printed cards with various diabetes discussion topics. This map involves group education and support which has been shown to be extremely successful and beneficial in assisting people with diabetes to manage their condition more effectively. Group interaction often translates into better retention of information by persons with diabetes, and allows for appropriate contextualisation of issues, as experienced by not only themselves, but also by other members of the group.

Keywords: Conversation maps, Diabetes, Education.

[1] RN, MSN ( Medical Surgical Nursing), Lecturer, Hiranandani College of Nursing