Date Approved
4-21-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Nursing (D.N.P.)
Degree Program
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Heather Chappell
Second Advisor
Dr. Marie VanderKooi
Third Advisor
NP Joanne Sherwood
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Culturally competent care is a cornerstone in medicine to address health disparities and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Suboptimal diabetes management was noted within a federally qualified health center in the Midwest along with a lack of culturally competent diabetes education available for African immigrants. The research question for this project is: Will a culturally appropriate diabetes management guide that addresses barriers to diabetes management improve African immigrant’s understanding and abilities to manage diabetes within a federally qualified health center in the Midwest?
Methods: A culturally competent diabetes management guide for African immigrants was created. We then identified patients within the organization that were African immigrants, over the age of 18 years old, and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients then participated in a one-on-one educational meeting utilizing a pre- and post-survey to measure diabetes understanding and confidence in managing the condition.
Results: Two patients participated in the project, both of whom met the inclusion criteria. Both participants rated their understanding of diabetes significantly higher following the intervention, improving from “poor” understanding to “good” understanding.
Conclusion: Data analysis of the project portrayed positive outcomes in participants’ understanding of diabetes and confidence in managing their condition. Future research could expand the project to include more participants for statistical significance. The education could also be disseminated throughout the organization to improve diabetes education for African immigrants.
ScholarWorks Citation
Hunderman, Bryce, "Culturally Competent Diabetes Management Guide for African Immigrants" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations. 75.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/dissertations/75
Final Defense: Culturally Competent Diabetes Management Guide for African Immigrants
