Well you have heard of pathways: well now there are maps. Richard Baker (Consultant Renal Physician, St James’ Hospital, Leeds) recently brought them to my attention. The maps and supporting material provide all that is needed for an interactive group session where individuals with a disease and their partners can discuss and learn more about their condition, how risk can be reduced and how they can be partners in their own care and wellbeing.
The map is about 6 feet by 4 feet and can drape over a table. It has scenarios – different places of care, different life events, diet, exercise and drug issues. There are also set of questions and answer cards – like Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit really! It looks really good.
The Canadian Diabetes conversation map tools were launched in Canada in 2005 and over 60% of diabetes educators in Canada have been trained to use these tools in their practice. By the end of 2008, the conversation map tools had launched in 37 countries with more to come in 2009.
The focus to date has been on diabetes care but I am encouraging Healthy Interactions, the team that makes and markets the maps, to develop maps for kidney care. Several teams have already expressed an interest in them and if you want to find out more go to
http://www.healthyinteractions.com/
https://diabetes.healthyi.com/
