OBJECTIVES A randomized controlled study is being conducted to evaluate 2 types of educational interventions (groups using Conversation Maps, versus individual) compared to usual care (no educational intervention) for patients with pre-existing type-2 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control (A1c >= 7%). The purpose is to determine if there are correlations at baseline with patient Readiness to Change (RTC) and attitudes toward diabetes, and measures of general health and diabetes control. METHODS At baseline, 167 female and 172 male patients (mean age 63 years, mean A1c 8.1) enrolled in the Merck-funded Journey for Control of Diabetes IDEA Study and completed a baseline survey. Validated instruments embedded in the survey were: RTC (O'Connor et al, 2004), functional health status (SF-12), attitude towards diabetes (positive attitude and care ability scales, sections of the Diabetes Care Profile from Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center). Also, the most recent A1c result within the last six months and length of time diagnosed with diabetes were obtained. RESULTS Pearson correlations were used to assess associations between RTC and general health, diabetes attitudes, and measures of diabetes control. Mean RTC scores were 24.02 (range 7 - 38; n = 320), with females slightly more ready to change than males (p = 0.0924). RTC had a significant positive correlation with A1c (r = 0.1096, p = 0.0500), with both the number of reported hypoglycemic events (r = 0.16217, p = 0.0037) and hyperglycemic events (r = 0.13854, p = 0.0133). RTC was also significantly correlated with Positive Attitudes toward diabetes (r = 0.11415, p = 0.0433). Interestingly, RTC was not related to functional health (r = 0.10964, p = 0.7167). CONCLUSIONS RTC is a useful tool to identify the potential success for diabetes education. Additional validation of this finding will be available upon the conclusion of the study.