Abstract
BackgroundArab Americans have a high burden of diabetes and poor outcomes compared to the general U.S. population. Diabetes self-management (DSM) requires a partnership between patients and providers that fosters mutual understanding and shared decision-making. Cultural factors influence this process; however, little is known regarding the cultural impact on DSM or if perceptions differ between patients and providers.MethodsQualitative content analysis was used to analyze five focus groups–two groups with Arab American providers (n = 8) and three groups with adult Arab Americans with diabetes (n = 23). Focus groups examined patient and provider perspectives on the meaning of DSM and cultural barriers and facilitators among Arab American patients.ResultsFour distinct themes included limited resources for DSM education and support, stigma as a barrier to ongoing support, family support as an opportunity and challenge, and Arab American patient-provider relationships.ConclusionsFindings indicate several domains should be considered for clinical practice including a need to develop linguistically and culturally reliant educational materials and relevant supports for use in the Arab American population. Findings highlight differing views among providers and patients on the familial role in supporting DSM efforts and why some patients feel dissatisfied with clinical encounters.
Highlights
Arab Americans have a high burden of diabetes and poor outcomes compared to the general U.S population
We present findings from a qualitative study examining Arab American provider and patients’ perspectives of the meaning of Diabetes self-management (DSM) and perceived culture related barriers and facilitators to DSM and discuss how insights gained from the study could inform clinical practice and future research
Setting and study participants A convenience sample of Arab American healthcare providers, including pharmacists and physicians, were recruited from the community-at-large and from health care facilities located in Dearborn, Michigan in neighborhoods mainly populated by Arab Americans
Summary
Arab Americans have a high burden of diabetes and poor outcomes compared to the general U.S population. Diabetes self-management (DSM) requires a partnership between patients and providers that fosters mutual understanding and shared decision-making. Cultural factors influence this process; little is known regarding the cultural impact on DSM or if perceptions differ between patients and providers. Optimizing diabetes outcomes, entails providers and patients working together on DSM from a position of mutual understanding and shared decision-making. Culture inherently influences these processes and subsequently, the ability to work in partnership toward optimal diabetes-related goals. Another study conducted among the Dearborn population suggests that less than one third of Arab American patients with diabetes achieve targeted
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