So far and yet so close: quality of management of diabetes in Australian and Canadian Indigenous communities.
OBJECTIVE
To compare quality of clinical management of Indigenous people with diabetes in remote areas of Australia and Canada.


METHODS
Clinical audit of diabetes management.


METHODS
The Kimberley region of Western Australia and Northern Saskatchewan in Canada.


METHODS
One hundred and two Saskatchewan and 142 Kimberley patients from seven and 11 primary health services, respectively.


METHODS
Indicators of quality of diabetes clinical management during the preceding two years.


RESULTS
Overall quality of management was poor. Retinopathy screening was better in the Kimberley than Saskatchewan (58% screened in the preceding two years cf 30%). Glycemic control of Saskatchewan patients was better than that of Kimberley patients (16% with optimal control vs. 9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Continuing efforts at the level of health service organisation, patient and staff education, and creative ways to reduce barriers to access, as well as primary prevention initiatives, are required to counter the devastating effect of diabetes on Indigenous communities.
Mak
Donna B
DB
Kimberley Public Health Unit, Derby, Western Australia, Australia. makho@bigpond.com
Whitehead
Sara
S
Plant
Aileen J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D008485:Medical Audit; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000592:standards; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012525:Saskatchewan; D014904:Western Australia