Knowledge and awareness of healthcare systems and the uptake of diabetic services among Chinese people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the UK

Objectives

Diabetes poses a significant public health challenge. The Chinese community has unique cultural characteristics that can influence their understanding of the diabetes healthcare system and engagement with services. This study aims to explore the knowledge and awareness of the diabetes healthcare system and the uptake of healthcare services in the UK Chinese population.

Design

This study adopted a qualitative design. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted on Zoom with 22 Chinese participants with self-reported type 2 diabetes living in the UK. Participants ranged from 24 to 85 years (mean age = 66 years, SD = 17.1). A purposive sample was recruited through study adverts in Chinese community centres and snowball sampling. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis (TA).

Results

This paper discusses 4 themes: Awareness and understanding of diabetes, healthcare access and utilisation, attitudes towards diabetes prevention programmes and Chinese medicine vs. Western medicine. Limited knowledge and awareness of diabetes was highlighted, with cultural factors impacting this. Factors which impacted healthcare access and utilisation were linguistic/ communication challenges, and trust and perception of the NHS. Participants were unaware of diabetes prevention programmes and highlighted that these were culturally inappropriate. Generational preferences were noted in the way participants wished to receive diabetes education. The western medical system was viewed as medication focused, therefore the older Chinese community trusted familiar natural methods of illness management.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of ensuring diabetes education is culturally appropriate. Generational differences in education preference should be recognised by healthcare professionals to increase healthcare engagement. These findings demonstrate the important need to educate UK healthcare professionals with the unique sociocultural contexts for this ethnic group. This study uncovers gaps in awareness and service uptake, highlighting the need for co-development of interventions that promote health equity and improve diabetes management within this population.