Open AccessTheory that explains an Aboriginal perspective of learning to understand and manage diabetes
Author(s) -
Webster Emma,
Johnson Craig,
Kemp Bernie,
Smith Valerie,
Johnson Monica,
Townsend Billie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12605
Subject(s) - grounded theory , focus group , perspective (graphical) , participatory action research , health care , medicine , nursing , citizen journalism , qualitative research , gerontology , psychology , sociology , political science , social science , artificial intelligence , anthropology , computer science , law
Objective: To use grounded theory and participatory research methodology to explain how Aboriginal people learn to understand and manage type 2 diabetes. Methods: Aboriginal people with diabetes were invited to participate in one of five focus groups (n=25, male=12, female=13). Focus groups and education sessions were conducted by Aboriginal members of the research team. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed, with coding and first level analysis undertaken by all members of the research team. Results: Participants described colonisation and dislocation from Country and family members’ experiences with diabetes as significant historical influences which, in conjunction with the model of care experienced and the type of interaction with health services, shaped how they came to understand and manage their diabetes. Conclusions: Patient experience of a model of care alone is not what influences understanding and management of diabetes in Aboriginal people. Implications for Public Health: Health service improvements should focus on understanding past experiences of Aboriginal patients, improving interactions with health services and supporting holistic family centred models of care. Focusing on just the model of care in absence of other improvements is unlikely to deliver health benefits to Aboriginal people.