Improving diabetes self-management in Māori communities: The use of behaviour skills training with continuous glucose monitoring

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition characterised by irregularities in the production and processing of insulin. Within the New Zealand context, diabetes disproportionately affects the Māori population more than non-Māori. Self-management of diabetes relies heavily on individual behaviours to manage the condition, which can be challenging for individuals to effectively achieve on a daily basis. Due to the higher proportion of Māori who suffer from diabetes, there is a need for culturally tailored and effective interventions to support diabetes self-management. This aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of behaviour skills training (BST) to improve diabetes selfmanagement behaviours for two Māori participants who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. The study integrated an applied behaviour analysis (ABA) intervention in BST and a Kaupapa Māori approach where tikanga Māori was weaved into the four components of BST. A task analysis was curated to score the correct procedure of applying a CGM device, with the goal of improving the participants self-management and overall health, aiming toward an improved quality of life. BST combined with a Kaupapa Māori approach was an effective tool for improving diabetes self-management for Māori participants who use CGM, highlighting the need for culturally responsive interventions in healthcare as well as acknowledging the effectiveness of a behavioural approach to medicine.