Learning Objective #1: Discuss some research methods in measuring quality of diabetes care including its processes and outcomes

Learning Objective #2: Understand differences between quality of diabetes care for aboriginal and non-aboriginal individuals in Taiwan

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Diabetes has been a difficultly controlled health problem in Taiwan, particularly in Hualien, in which one-fourths of population is aboriginal people. Most of aboriginals were living in the areas geographically a long distance from medical services. This cross-sectional study examined the disparity of quality and outcomes of diabetes care between aboriginal and non-aboriginal population in Hualien, Taiwan. One hundred forty participants were randomly selected from the list of individuals with diabetes who were seen at the medical center in Hualien during 2000 and 2001. Data collection included administering questionnaires through the mail or, if participants could not read or preferred being asked, by direct interview in early 2003 and reviewing medical records over the course of the year 2002. Results showed that aboriginal participants were younger (M = 53.07 and 59.02, respectively) yet had higher levels of comorbidity than non-aboriginal participants in the study. However, because of geographical distance to diabetes care institutes, aborigine people were more likely to visit primary care clinics instead of institutes with better preparation of diabetes care. Although the care received to prevent complications were no difference between the two groups, more over, aboriginal individuals received more referrals and home and phone visits from other professionals beyond physicians, their outcomes of diabetes care including self-care activities (M = 22.40 and 27.02, respectively, F (1,138) = 6.95, p < .05) and quality of life were less than that of non-aboriginal individuals who were diabetes (M = 45.20 and 54.82, respectively; F (1,138) = 25.85, p < .01). The results indicated that the health care for aboriginal individuals with diabetes should not be neglected. Development of a cultural sensitive diabetes care program is needed in Hualien, Taiwan.