Lesson 1: Introduction to Cultural Competence in Diabetes Care

Activity: Reflect on personal cultural biases and write a short essay on how these biases could impact the care you provide to Indigenous patients.

Introduction: Cultural competence is the ability of healthcare providers to understand, respect, and effectively interact with people of different cultures. In diabetes care, it means recognizing the unique cultural needs and practices of Indigenous peoples and incorporating them into care plans.

Historical Context: Understanding the impact of colonization, trauma, and intergenerational issues on Indigenous communities. This trauma has influenced health outcomes, including the prevalence of diabetes.

Cultural Beliefs and Practices: Explore the cultural beliefs that Indigenous communities hold regarding health, illness, and healing. Discuss how these beliefs may differ from Western medical practices and how they can be integrated into diabetes care.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does understanding the historical context of Indigenous trauma help in providing better diabetes care?
2. What are some common cultural biases that healthcare providers might have when treating Indigenous patients? How can these biases be addressed?
3. In what ways can cultural competence impact the trust between healthcare providers and Indigenous patients?
4. How does integrating cultural competence into diabetes care improve patient outcomes?
5. What challenges might arise in implementing culturally competent care, and how can they be overcome?