Introduction

“Life is better under 7%”.  Assisting our Indigenous clients who live in remote communities in Far North Queensland  to achieve this HbA1c can involve many challenges.  Six Diabetes Educators, a number of Chronic Disease Doctors and a team of Allied Health Professionals including Remote Nurses, Indigenous Health Workers, Dietitians and Podiatrists visit 11 different communities where they work together with their clients in encouraging behaviour change that will lead to better health.  If we are to achieve this HbA1c goal in the foreseeable future, we educators have identified that the “bad press” around insulin is one of the first battles we need to engage in and win.

Method / Results

Diabetes Educators have been issuing blood glucose meters to clients with diabetes throughout 11 communities over the past 5 years.   40% of clients who regularly attend for services have received a BG meter.  SMBG is becoming a part of the self-management picture.

6 case studies will also be presented highlighting effective approaches to insulin initiation and ongoing use including:

-          Family involvement

-          Telephone reminder services

-          Health centre involvement

-          Insulin promotion in local language

-          Community role model support

Conclusion

The provision of blood glucose meters and comprehensive interpretation of results has demonstrated that self-monitoring is helping clients in their journey to understand the effects of food, worry, activity and medications on their blood glucose levels.

It is also being used to plant the seed of, and help explain the benefits of insulin use. 

Individualised, innovative approaches are continually called upon to encourage, motivate, support, remind, and empower clients on their journey towards self-management including the introduction to and continued use of that “liquid gold” called insulin.