[Effectiveness of the kit Conversation Map in the therapeutic education of diabetic people attending the Diabetes Unit in Carpi, Italy].

We implemented the "Diabetes conversations", programme of the International Diabetes Federation-Europe, characterised by the use of the Conversation Map, an educational interactive kit addressed to groups of diabetic patients on: Living with diabetes, What is diabetes, Healthy diet and physical activity, Initiating insulin therapy. After at least three month from the end of the 4-session course, clinical data of 63 participants from the first 10 groups--age (mean +/- std dev) 61.7 +/- 10.2 years, 56% women, 18.5% T1DM-improved: fasting glycemia decreased from 152.9 +/- 55.2 to 138.2 +/- 38.9 mg/dl (P < 0.05), HbA1c from 8.2 +/- 1.2 to 7.8 +/- 1.4% (P < 0.01), BMI from 27.6 +/- 15.1 to 25.5 +/- 15.5 kg/m2 (P < 0.02). The patients' satisfaction about the topics and the educational materials was very high.The Conversation Maps are useful because: (a) contribute to improve glycometabolic control; (b) educate patients on the main topics related to diabetes; (c) give to the nurse a key and active role in patients'education; (d) facilitate the connection between knowledge and behaviour; (e) involve the volunteers of the diabetic association as tutors; (f) improve the relationship and the communication between the doctor/nurse and the patient.