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DIABETIC FOOT CARE: DEVELOPING CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA
Author(s) -
Watson Jennifer,
Obersteller Elizabeth A.,
Rennie Linda,
Whitbread Cherie
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1584.2001.00320.x
Subject(s) - participatory action research , medicine , pacific islanders , cultural safety , nursing , health care , sociology , political science , environmental health , population , anthropology , law
Evidence shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the highest national percentage of morbidity in relation to diabetes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also suffer the greatest risk of amputation as a complication of diabetes. This participatory action research project sought to discover the opinions of a range of people, including registered nurses, general practitioners, Aboriginal health workers, cross‐cultural liaison officers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes. Focus groups provided valuable information regarding relevant issues of foot care education in the Northern Territory. The emergent themes included communication issues, educational resources, changing behaviour and other practical resources required for health education. The themes provided evidence of the inherent issues of foot care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and guidance for the development of a visual educational tool. The results have lead to the development of a foot care educational tool that will be used by health‐care professionals and clients in urban, community, rural and remote areas. The use of a participant action research process will ensure that the educational tool will be owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and health‐care professionals.