Conversation Map^® Success Stories

Hi. I want to tell you about an opportunity I had to use the Maps in a unique way. Earlier this month I was the educator nurse for a diabetes children's day camp. The children at the camp were ages 4 - 12. They came to the classroom each day in groups of about 20 and of similar ages. Yes, the Conversation Map [education tools] are for smaller groups of older students, but I studied the Maps and concepts and turned the whole classroom into a Map with all hands on activities. We formed small groups of 6 or 7 children and they "visited" each section of the map (room), where a facilitator welcomed them and engaged them in an age appropriate game or activity that mirrored the map. For example, on map #1, there is a section with cards identifying myths vs. facts. I created a road on the floor and placed 2 race cars on it. One was labeled Wrong Way Rob, and the other was labeled Right Way Rick. The kids took turns drawing the myth/fact cards out of a pile and reading them. With each card, the kids rolled the appropriate car and Rick got closer to his checkered flag, or Rob got closer to his dead end. The small groups "travelled" (rotated) every 10 minutes in order to experience as much as possible from the Map. We had 3 days of education at the camp, so I used Maps 1, 2 and 3. Of course we were constantly adjusting the material to the age group, but I am amazed at how much information kids can grasp. Your concepts are so clear and easy to share with all ages. Hope our experience is helpful to you and to others. We sure enjoyed it. Sarah Kay Rhodes, RN

We have been working with the Conversation Map® education tools, and found the need to incorporate more detail in some areas, espeically nutrition (CHO counting, label reading, fat control for lipids/ weight, etc). The Maps have been great in opening up thought provoking discussions in many areas. We are currently working on strategies to allow ample time for conversation, yet alot adequate time for covering some "need to know" information.

Our center, The Diabetes Education and Research Center, is new. We have just started a teen group, Teen Lifestyle Club (TLC) for hispanic youth with diabetes. Four teens were scheduled for the diabetes/Pre-diabetes. The total group that attended was 16. Parents brought other siblings and all stayed for the class. Thank you, Tanya Nichols RN, MEd, CDE

The Conversation Map session personalizes the patients' management of diabetes because the sessions give them the opportunity to share their story and also learn from other people who are on the same journey for control of their diabetes.

I have been using the Conversation Map education tools in group classes with patients who have diabetes for almost 2 years. One of my patients recently told me he learned more from using the Map than any of the other educational sessions he attended. A comfortable, relaxed environment is created when the Maps are used. The patients tend to share more of their feelings about diabetes with others in the group.

I used the Conversation map education tools, specifically the nutrition component for a first class, and it did allow the participants to converse, but I had to make sure I included the concepts I had to teach. I had more of a difficult time, keeping the class focused on concepts I needed to cover.

I use the Conversation Map education tools at my clinic for diabetes education. I use the test for each Conversation Map as a pre-test and then again at the end of the session as a post-test. It's a good way to assess learning. I really appreciate the certificates. I give a certificate to each participant at the end of each Map session.

We have been using the Diabetes Conversation Map education tools for over a year in our Diabetes Self-Management Program and have had participants attend multiple times. The feedback has been overwhelming. Participants learn from each other and enjoy the interaction. We also use the Nutrition Map in our weight management program. The bonus for the faciliators is that no two classes are the same.

I am curious how Frida Theros, RD, CDE, Utah, used the Gestational Conversation Map with women over 50 and also men. We have an ADA-recognized program in a small Critical Access hospital in rural northwest Ohio, and we never have enough women with GDM (at the same time) to use this Map.  If Frida has a novel way to use this map, I'd love to hear it! This was her comment-- "I work with a Native American tribe. I have used the Conversation Map education tools in our Diabetes Prevention and Control classes. Not all the participants were diagnosed with diabetes, but everyone enjoyed the classes and learned new information. I have had a class with only one participant, and it went surprisingly well. The Maps were so popular, that I ended up using the Gestational Diabetes Conversation Map education tool for a small group of men, and women over the age of 50!!! How is that for a great teaching tool?"

I have found the Conversation Maps to be very well received by my clients. They love the opportunity to talk about their experiences and learn from other participants' experiences.