Delivering diabetes care to ethnic groups: A pilot general practice survey

Most ethnic groups (EGs) in the UK have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and associated comorbidities. Many live in socially deprived areas and have high levels of illiteracy, which may impede access to diabetes care. However, littte is known about the cultural issues and challenges facing primary care service providers and the additional resources needed to deliver diabetes care to EGs. This pilot study aimed to elicit an understanding of current GP practice regarding EGs, using a specifically developed survey questionnaire to highlight areas of need. Findings show that practices work autonomously but are conscious of the need to deliver high-quality diabetes care (by employing staff speaking some EG languages, for example) and identified a lack of resources and culturally sensitive awareness to meet EGs' needs. Recommendations for improving service provision to EGs include cultural competence training for staff, better resources to support a streamlined service within practices, and effective diabetes networking among GP practices.