The experience of native peer facilitators in the campaign against type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
The use of peer facilitators in health programs has great potential. One important application is prevention and control of type 2 diabetes among American Indians.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the experience of American Indian facilitators in a culturally appropriate intervention (Talking Circles) on 2 Northern Plains reservations. The Talking Circles offered a forum for educational dialogue on diabetes risk factors and the management of type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Phenomenology, a qualitative research approach, was used to answer the research question: "What did Native Talking Circle facilitators experience?" Participants were 4 lay health workers from the intervention reservations who had been trained to present a diabetes curriculum while coordinating and guiding the group discussion. During open-ended, taped interviews, the facilitators shared their experiences conducting the Talking Circles. Analysis categorized the experiences into common themes to explain the phenomena and cultural construction of oral discussions (Talking Circles) of diabetes.


RESULTS
Themes included the concept of "a calling" to do the work, which included a self-growth process, a blending of 2 worldviews as a diabetes intervention strategy, the importance of translating educational materials in a liaison role, and commitment to tribal people and communities.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of the facilitators was positive because they were knowledgeable about American Indian culture and worldview and were trained in both Talking Circle facilitation and type 2 diabetes.
Struthers
Roxanne
R
University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis 55455, USA. strut005@umn.edu
Hodge
Felicia Schanche
FS
De Cora
Lorelei
L
Geishirt-Cantrell
Betty
B
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002321:Career Choice; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009329:Nebraska; D010379:Peer Group; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012423:Rural Health; D013023:South Dakota; D000078329:Workforce