Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus poses a critical health challenge among Native Hawaiians, with prevalence and complication rates exceeding those of many other ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi. Socioeconomic and cultural factors, compounded by linguistic barriers, contribute to suboptimal health outcomes in this population. This Practice Inquiry Project (PIP) describes a quality improvement initiative aimed at equipping staff at the Hoʻola Lāhui Hawaiʻi Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Mobile Clinic to provide bilingual (English–Hawaiian) instruction on glucometer usage. Centered on the “How to Use a Glucometer / Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana i ka Mīkini Ana Kopaʻa” guide, the intervention trains staff to effectively communicate essential diabetes self-management steps for Native Hawaiian patients, including those from Niʻihau. Ten staff members completed pre-training and post-training surveys to assess perceived efficacy, cultural alignment, and feasibility of bilingual instructions. Although no patients will be directly involved, enhancing provider competency through bilingual education may foster greater health literacy and culturally responsive care in predominantly Native Hawaiian communities.
Presenters
Kenneth Kahiau NiheuStudent, Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Communications and Linguistic Studies
KEYWORDS
Bilingual
