Deciding to go on a journey is just as important as the journey itself.
April 17, 2024
That's the advice of Kristi Gehman, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in diabetes care and education with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. He wanted to learn how potential inequalities in access to diabetes care and technology could significantly impact health outcomes for minorities.
Gehman, who serves the community at Penn State Medical Center's Lyme Spring Outpatient Center, talks about disparities in diabetes care, how personal bias can impact access, and how to make diabetes technology available to all patients. I started my journey by educating myself on researching recommendations. Other factors that can influence equal access to healthcare technology include financial resources, environment, food access, region of residence, social networks, legal status, and education.
Thanks to her efforts, she was able to focus on ways to address inequities in diabetes treatment and education and share her journey with others.
reveal hidden biases
“When I speak with team members and other clinicians and educators, I discuss my own decision to consider issues of diabetes education and access to technology,” Gehman said. “Sharing it with others makes people think about their own potential biases. It also shows how important it is to make a personal choice to consider this decision.” ”
This type of communication involves a commitment to learning, self-reflection, and honesty. “To do this, we must not only take into account potential personal biases, but also consider the importance of dealing with patients who do not speak English as their first language or whose culture prevents them from speaking English as their first language. You have to take the time to yourself to take the time you need. Take time to make decisions as a family unit,” Gehman said.
Three steps are critical to improving technology (equitable access to medical technology for patients of all backgrounds, races, and cultures). The first step, she says, is educating health care workers and communities about potential inequities in access to technology and making a conscious choice to be honest with ourselves about bias.
open the door to other perspectives
“The second step is acknowledging the experience of others,” Gehman says. “We tend to see things through our own experiences and filters. We tend to see things through our own experiences and filters. We must be willing to listen to the opinions of people with diverse backgrounds.”
Finally, this journey also includes advocacy. Teams should take time to address potential inequalities, talk through scenarios that help them understand each other and patients from different cultures, and practice these skills, she said.
Breaking down medical barriers
Gehman's recommendations are consistent with recommendations promoted by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Professionals, including:
- Making the most of diabetes technology for all patients
- Provide education on device payments and health access
- Screening for barriers that at-risk individuals may face
- Participate in training on all types of bias
- Share stories of inequities and efforts to address them with other clinicians and health care decision makers.
The association is asking its members to raise awareness of these issues and help remove barriers and discrimination to effective self-care, she said.
Gehman praises the Penn State Department of Health's efforts to address health disparities. “I am grateful that the Penn State Department of Health has provided me with the opportunity to learn about and raise awareness about diversity. I am grateful to be able to increase my self-awareness and work with a team that serves all patients with compassion. I am grateful,” she said.
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