Expert recommends doctors re-evaluate how they care for minority patients
Type 2 diabetes is far more prevalent among minority communities in the U.S. and one expert thinks this is because most doctors simply do not know how to reach out to these populations.
Constance Brown-Riggs, president of CBR Nutrition in New York, said at a recent meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, that many doctors lack “cultural competency,” according to Endocrine Today. In order to overcome this deficiency, doctors should question their assumptions about what a person might know about healthy eating and other diabetes risk factors.
“Even when a patient comes from the same ethnic background, you can’t assume that they eat the way you do,” she said, according to the news source. “Often, people will say, ‘I treat everyone the same.’ But, that’s the problem - that is not cultural competence.”
Since care for oneself can be an intensive process for those with type 2 diabetes, successful treatment often hinges on the individual’s disease knowledge and competency. However, if a doctor fails to prepare their patients for living with the condition, they are likely to struggle with health problems.
One thing Brown-Riggs said can help improve a patient’s ability to care for themselves i working collaboratively with the individual to create treatment goals. Getting patients involved in this way often leads to better treatment adherence.
More than 12 percent of African Americans have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Comparatively, the prevalence among whites is just 7 percent. These figures suggest that doctors may need to take steps to improve their care of minority patients.
Constance Brown-Riggs, president of CBR Nutrition in New York, said at a recent meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, that many doctors lack “cultural competency,” according to Endocrine Today. In order to overcome this deficiency, doctors should question their assumptions about what a person might know about healthy eating and other diabetes risk factors.
“Even when a patient comes from the same ethnic background, you can’t assume that they eat the way you do,” she said, according to the news source. “Often, people will say, ‘I treat everyone the same.’ But, that’s the problem - that is not cultural competence.”
Since care for oneself can be an intensive process for those with type 2 diabetes, successful treatment often hinges on the individual’s disease knowledge and competency. However, if a doctor fails to prepare their patients for living with the condition, they are likely to struggle with health problems.
One thing Brown-Riggs said can help improve a patient’s ability to care for themselves i working collaboratively with the individual to create treatment goals. Getting patients involved in this way often leads to better treatment adherence.
More than 12 percent of African Americans have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Comparatively, the prevalence among whites is just 7 percent. These figures suggest that doctors may need to take steps to improve their care of minority patients.
First published on: August 10, 2011
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