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Diabetes management for patients with cultural differences

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The American Association of Diabetes Educators has developed five tips to help health care providers teach patients with cultural differences to manage their type 2 diabetes.

“Individualizing care increases the likelihood that any patient will have success in his or her self-care plan,” Joan Bardsley, MBA, RN, CDE, FAADE, president of the AADE, said in the tip sheet. “Addressing cultural influences is an important factor in that individualization. Familiarity with the patient’s cultural background is a good place to start.”

According to the AADE, ethnic minorities are two to six times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than other US residents. In response, the AADE recommends that providers use the following strategies to influence self-care for patients with diverse cultures.

1.      Recommend activity instead of exercise. Exercise is not valued in every culture, according to AADE. Instead, health care providers should encourage patients to participate in activities that are common in their culture, such as dancing.

2.      Emphasize health. Health should always be the primary focus, as other goals may not be appropriate. For example, the AADE mentions that Mexican Americans may view a full figure as healthy and weight loss as an illness, so urging a patient to lose weight may not be a suitable objective.

3.      Discuss familiar foods. AADE suggests that providers  include foods that are familiar to the patient’s culture when discussing healthy diet plans. This will increase the likelihood of compliance.

4.      Involve the family. Many cultures have close-knit families, so AADE advises using this to the patient’s advantage. Providers can motivate patients’ families to be supportive by asking them to participate in activities and to eat healthier together.

5.      Partner up. People in the community and church groups can help health care providers understand more about other cultures. Providers can also refer patients to a diabetes educator who will be able to create a personalized health plan that is respectful of the patient’s culture.

For more information: American Association of Diabetes Educators