Navigating cultural diversity in diabetes care: Insights from Australian healthcare professionals

Abstract

Aim: To address the growing challenge of diabetes management in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, this study explores healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices on providing culturally appropriate diabetes care to people with diabetes of CALD backgrounds. With diabetes disproportionately affecting CALD populations, understanding how care can be tailored to socio-cultural context is critical for improving diabetes outcomes. Methods: A qualitative design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with Australian HCPs involved in diabetes care. Eleven participants were purposively sampled to ensure diverse professional perspectives, including general practitioners, endocrinologists, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, and a podiatrist. Data collection, conducted between April and October 2024, included face-to-face and virtual interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis, informed by critical realist ontology, was used to identify themes. Results: Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) The Compassionate Carer, focusing on empathy and building trust to provide individualised care; (2) The Lifelong Learner, emphasising cultural humility and the importance of ongoing learning; (3) The Person-Centred Provider, highlighting shared decision-making and flexible, person-driven approaches; and (4) The Culturally Attuned Provider, addressing the need for HCPs to understand the contexts of people with diabetes. HCPs demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning, adaptability, and respectful communication tailored to individuals' unique cultural contexts, with health technology supporting active engagement. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of compassion, cultural humility, and understanding in providing culturally responsive diabetes care. Supporting HCPs through ongoing learning and reflective practice, while fostering empathy and humility, is essential. Insights generated underscore the need for structural support, including organisational flexibility, interpreters, culturally tailored resources, and digital tools to improve access and communication. Aligning system-level support alongside HCPs' commitment to person-centred care is essential for providing equitable and sustainable diabetes care for CALD populations.