Innovative Approaches to Diabetes Education for Adolescents

Marcia Frank RN, MHSc, CDEThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenToronto, Canada

Session Objectives

Examine rational for using innovative approaches and specifically creative arts in diabetes education

Explore the impact of the use of arts in diabetes education

Provide examples of how innovative approaches and the arts are used in diabetes education

Examine the feasibility of using the arts more routinely in our practice

Learn more innovative approaches from session participants

Toronto SickKids Hospital

SickKids Diabetes Service 1100 children/teens Culturally diverse Well established

team

EducationEducation

CareCare

supportsupport

Value of creative arts in diabetes education

Cuts across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers

Reduces the distance between teacher and learner

Bridges experience and understanding Involves affective and cognitive domains of

learning Makes abstract concepts, concrete Provides a means for everyone to learn

Evidence of the effectiveness of the arts in health interventions

Helps to manage pain and side effects Reduces stress and anxiety Helps coming to terms with

distressing events Increases well-being and self-esteem Enhances patient /provider

communication across social and ethnic groups

Rosalia Staricoff 2004 www.artscouncil.org.uk

The quilt as the framework for my practice

The quilt as my framework of practice

Each has a unique history, experiences,

characteristics and relationships

The quilt as my framework of practiceDiabetes: the patch that nobody

asked for and nobody wants

The quilt as my framework of practice

Diabetes in its place

The Power of the Story

“What could you possibly know? You don’t have diabetes!”

Conversation MapsTM Created by in collaboration with IDF and

sponsored by Lilly

Conversation Map TM

Comic Relief and co-operation

The nose

&

Survivor

Diabetes: the meaning, the emotions, the work, the support….What would you like to talk about today?

Hospital for Sick ChildrenAnnual Family Diabetes Daywith Sherman and the Never Ready for Prime time Players

The diabetes team

Art created by children in our clinic

High RopesLearning TrustBuilding Self-Esteem

Bunny “therapy”… and hugs

Writing… Keeping a journal“The role of a writer isnot to say what weall can say, but what we are unable to say”. ~Anaïs Nin

Music

communication

relaxation

prevention

Key Messages Diabetes care, education and support

are inseparable All diabetes health care professionals

are diabetes educators The relationship is critical to effective

education The use of creative arts and other

novel approaches can make diabetes education more meaningful

More meaningful education can result in:

Better relationships Improved

communication Better problem-

solving Improved self-

efficacy Improved QoL Better coping with

the stress and work of diabetes

More Meaningful Education Can Result in:

Better relationships Improved

communication Better problem-

solving Improved self-

efficacy Improved QoL Better coping with

the stress and work of diabetes

And hopefully, improved metabolic control