Evaluation and comparison of the diabetes conversation maps and the Central Gippsland Health Service 5-week diabetes group program. — ASN Events
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Evaluation and comparison of the diabetes conversation maps and the Central Gippsland Health Service 5-week diabetes group program. (#121)

Sue Kewming 1 2 , Angelo D'Amore 2 3
  1. Central Gippsland Health Service, Sale, VIC, Australia
  2. Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, Moe, VIC, Australia
  3. East Gippsland Regional Clinical School, Monash University, Bairnsdale , VIC, Australia

Background: Diabetes Australia has demonstrated that the diabetes epidemic has worsened for the shire of Wellington (Victoria).1 The prevalence of diabetes in this shire has increased from 2.9% in 2001 to 5.9% in 2011.1 It is important to identify the most effective diabetes education program for this rural setting.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the Diabetes Conversation Maps program and the Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS) 5-week Diabetes Group Program.

Method: A concurrent prospective cohort study was conducted using a pre- and post-survey of clients who attended one of the two different diabetes education programs run at CGHS. The survey consisted of a self-constructed demographic questionnaire, the Diabetes Knowledge Test and Diabetes Empowerment Scale from the University of Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre,2 the Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure,3 and a self-constructed satisfaction survey. Data from paired surveys were analyzed using a paired t-test. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05.

Results: Seventeen paired surveys from the CGHS 5-week diabetes group program showed a statically significant improvement in knowledge (p=0.0115); however, there was no difference in self-care activities (p=0.2437) and empowerment (p=0.0663).  Overall, the participants were satisfied with the program. Twelve paired surveys from the Conversation Maps program showed a greater statistically significant improvement in knowledge (p=0.0008) and also showed improvements in self-care activities (p=0.0218) and empowerment (p=0.0022).  Overall, the participants were also satisfied with this program.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the Diabetes Conversation Maps was a better program and will be the program of choice at the CGHS.

  1. Diabetes Australia – Victoria (2011). “Victoria’s Diabetes epidemic 10 years on.” Retrieved 22 November 2011, from http://www.diabetesepidemic.org.au/
  2. Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre (MDRTC) (2011). Survey instruments. Retrieved 19 April 2011, from http://www.med.umich.edu/mdrt/profs/survey.html
  3. Toobert, D. J., Hampson, S.E., Glasgow R.E. (2000). The summary of diabetes self care activities measure. Diabetes Care 23:946-950.