DIABETES MANAGEMENT IN ABORIGINAL &TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITY
Diabetes management in Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community presents with an evident deficit compared to non-indigenous communities. In diabetes, quality use of medicines and devices are essential for quality assurance, adherence and compliance of diabetics. Australia has been effectively improving the lack of health care in aboriginal and torres strait islander community through governmental policies and programs such as “Closing the Gap”. However, more effective programs such as QUMAX, need to come about to ensure better quality use of medicines for diabetic management.
Objective: A diabetes camp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander to help improve quality use of diabetic medicines and devices for effective disease management. Using the current QUMAX Work Plan, financial barriers, cultural and logistical barriers and access to devices and medicines are reduced. The camp is called “Indigenous Diabetes Camp”. Training will be for safe use, judicious use, efficious use and appropriate use of their diabetic medications and devices; where medicine is the focus, not diabetes itself.
Method: Using NRL players in a tutorial and role playing based classes, to educate the diabetics about the diagnosis, the progressive nature of the disease and the reasons for their treatments and why they are here and need to be here. At the Diabetes Camp, volunteer nutritionists, Aboriginal Health Workers, nurses and QUM trained pharmacists will be on service to help educate and run interactive classes. NRL players and registered personal trainers will provide weight loss activities, through sports and traditional indigenous activities. QUM Support Pharmacist will run interactive and one-on-one tutorials with camp participates in quality use of diabetic medications such as oral anti-diabetic drugs. Counselling on medication information, education and adherence training will be put forward; where both conventional tablets and controlled release tablet compliance is emphasised. Thus function of camp is to minimise misuse, over-use and under-use, and improving diabetic indigenous’ ability to solve problems related to medication, such as negative effects or managing multiple medications. Additionally aboriginal health workers help to interpret medications CMI for better understanding. Training will be provided in how to get the best out of our medicines, and safety of its use (safe use). Additionally pharmacists and other staff educate participants on why they need their medicines, and individually educate on patient’s treatment regime that the doctor has given them (Judicious use). DAA’s such as Webster packs and pill boxers maybe issued for specific individual needs at the camp. QUM pharmacists counsel participants on their need for consistent monitoring of their blood glucose monitoring and using a one-on-one approach. Training for participants in quality use of their devices for effective diabetes management, whilst trying to change the attitudes in taking their medications. For example, automated blood glucose monitors (ACCUCHEK) and insulin injections. Nurses will employ training of participants on how to use their automated blood glucose machines and recording of their results and what their results mean. Additionally, nurses will train the participants on how their can properly use their insulin injections.
Data collection: Diabetes Camp duration is over a week (7 days). One week every 2 months may be employed. Participants receive NDSS benefits, Home Review Programs, and discounted scripts via local pharmacies (corresponding/participating in program).
Health care professional staff collects every participant’s blood glucose level data during breakfast and before and after meals. These data are recorded and stored in a database, which will then provide each participant with a progress curve on their time at the camp. It is through this data collection,