Barriers to insulin treatment among Australian Torres Strait Islanders with poorly controlled diabetes.
Sean Taylor, Fintan Thompson, Robyn McDermott
PMID 27605456WHAT IT FOUND
Torres Strait Islander adults not taking insulin reported mostly negative perceptions: feeling like they had failed, worrying others would see them as sicker, and embarrassment about injections.
Key findings
01Among 29 insulin-naïve participants with poor control, the study found mostly negative perceptions of insulin that could be barriers to better glycaemic management.
02ITAS scores were higher in participants aged 50 years and over and in participants who had not completed year 12.
03Fear of injections, stigma, and low positive expectations about insulin differed from a German comparison study, with non-overlapping confidence intervals.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The analysed sample was 29 insulin-naïve participants, which is very small. The ITAS and BITQ were not validated in this population, where English was not the first language for many. One participant died before interview, so 29 of 30 approached completed the questionnaires. The study measured perceptions and barriers but did not test whether education, communication, or cultural adaptation changes insulin uptake or glycaemic control. Comparison studies were from different countries and populations, so differences may reflect context rather than only Torres Strait Islander perceptions.
Declared interests
A student non-commercial research agreement was established between The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service and the first author.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that improving patients' knowledge alone will increase insulin uptake. The study measured perceptions and barriers, not the effect of education or communication on treatment or glycaemic control.