OVERCOMING BARRIERS

Health Care is a vital resource for individuals and the community. For the health care system to be of benefit to a community, such as the South Asian community, it is essential to understand their needs and capacities. Only then are health care professionals able to provide the people with the resources and education that will ultimately cause a positive change in their health. When communication problems are overcome and people are approached in a culturally sensitive way, they are receptive to advice that advocates changes in lifestyle and the use of preventative services.

Assess their needs and capacities by holding South Asian diabetes groups. Provide interpreters who also have a good understanding of the culture. Some seniors, especially older females, are illiterate and therefore pamphlets in their native language would not be appropriate. Various methods including visual displays, such as pictorial flashcards, posters, and anatomical correct models, would be beneficial in meeting their needs. By being aware of the various barriers, health care professionals are able to provide culturally safe and sensitive material to facilitate change. Communication barriers can be overcome, by including interventions that take into “religious, cultural and social factors” (Fischbacher et al., 2004, p256). Hill (2006) suggests that leaders, interpreters, link workers, advocates and educators “who are fluent in the language can be effective, and an understanding of the cultural norms and health beliefs of patients is important for effective communication” (p63) in self-management of diabetes. Less formal educational sessions, held in a relaxed group atmosphere, may enhance the development of topics raised by the members. This would allow each member an opportunity to reflect and express any questions or concerns. Through this process, health care professional are able to identify any gaps apparent in diabetes education and awareness. Poetry, literature and music are a large part of the South Asian culture. Using methods, such as story telling, can be used as a strategy to share diabetes management. Another forum that would reach a wide audience would be at local cultural events, such as Miri Piri and Vasakhi. Health promotion can occur when communication and education material are culturally safe and culturally sensitive to the community. By understanding the South Asian “attitudes to health and their uptake of health services including health education, are strongly affected by their knowledge, culture and beliefs,” (Rankin & Bhopal, 2001, 253) culturally safe education material can be created. Cultural, religious and language differences is important to consider when communicating information to promote effective self-management. A public campaign used to create awareness of the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet in languages spoken in South Asia, such as Punjabi and Hindi, needs to be implemented The campaign should promote sports and physical activity especially during childhood. Gain knowledge of the culture and religion by: talking to others who belong to the group, researching evidence-based material, accessing resources targeted to the South Asian community, and ask questions.

References: Abate, N., & Chandalia, M. (2001). Ethnicity and type 2 diabetes: Focus on Asian Indians. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. 15 (1), 320–327. Hill, J. (2006). Management of diabetes in South Asian communities in the UK. Nursing Standard. 20 (25), 57-64. Lewis, S., Heitkemper, M., & Dirksen, S. (2004). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Minhas, A.S. (2000). Diabetes mellitus: The essential facts (2nd ed). Surrey: Paldi Publishing. Smye, V. & Browne, A. (2003). ‘Cultural safety’ and the analysis of health policy affecting aboriginal people. Nurse Researcher. 9 (3), 42-55.