Cultural Sensitivity in Diabetes Care

Abstract

Culture influences the way people think about and behave in relation to health and illness. Due to cultural differences, professionals and patients may have very different perspectives on how to interpret diabetes, explain its causes and progression, understand its symptoms, and decide on treatment. Health care professionals can offer more compassionate and effective care to their patients by becoming culturally competent. Cultural competence is the knowledge and interpersonal skills that allow providers to understand, appreciate, and work with individuals from cultures other than their own. Cultural values influence both the choices patients make each day as they care for their diabetes and the ways health care professionals interpret and react to their choices.

Keywords

cultural competence diabetes,minority populations self-care practices

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