Effective communication is crucial to self-management: The experiences of immigrants to Australia living with diabetes
Date
2011
Authors
Jowsey, Tanisha
Gillespie, James
Aspin, Clive
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Publisher
Sage Publications Inc
Abstract
Objectives: Ageing immigrant populations now pose problems for the management of chronic illness in Australia. This article asks questions about the experiences of immigrants in Australia with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). What impact, if any, have health policies had on the lives of immigrants? How do their experiences of living with DM compare with those of people with DM who were born in Australia? Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 participants who had DM (n = 25) or cared for someone with DM (n = 7). Fifteen participants had migrated to Australia and English was not their first language. Participants were asked to describe their experience of managing diabetes. Results: Immigrants to Australia confront linguistic and cultural barriers that create an extra layer of problems not experienced by Australian-born people. Older people who were born overseas face obstacles to effective engagement with the health system that weaken their ability to take an active part in the management of their conditions. Conclusions: Chronic disease policy is failing immigrants to Australia. Health professionals and services must recognize the central role that cultural diversity plays in self-management and the impact that this can have on health outcomes for immigrants with chronic illness.
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Keywords
Keywords: adult; aged; article; Australia; clinical article; female; health care delivery; health care policy; health service; human; immigrant; interpersonal communication; male; non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; self care; semi structured interview; Aged; Australia; Diabetes; Health services; Immigrant; Qualitative
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Source
Chronic Illness
Type
Journal article
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2037-12-31
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