Identifying changes in diabetes care

ABSTRACT Malta is a small Mediterranean island with particularly distinct population and culture. Italso has one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the world. As a result it provides aunique microcosm of problems in diabetes care common across Europe. This studyexplores the effects of culture, religion and government organisation on the managementof patients with diabetes. The cultures of patients, health care professionals and the Maltese government wereexamined in terms of their influence on the potential to deliver culturally relevantcompetent care. The results of this research indicate that national culture and local practices may havea detrimental influence on the management of diabetes in Malta. The findings highlight theneed for change if effective diabetes care is to be offered to the Maltese population.These changes are related to a highly complex, poorly understood health care system,and to the way in which it is structured and the way health care processes are managed inthis highly specific national and ethnic culture. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons.