Health Transition Fund Project NA012: Diabetes Community/Home
Support Services for First Nations and Inuit
Guidance for Program Planning - Words of Wishdom
For the eighteen months of the Project, project staff were dedicated
to the planning and implementation of home care diabetes services
in the four pilot communities. The frustrations and the triumphs,
the successes and the failures of the project have all contributed
to a substantial body of wisdom. This wisdom is offered to others
who have an interest in developing similar services.
- To plan and develop a program of this magnitude requires additional
staff who are dedicated solely to the Project. In particular,
a project coordinator who has the appropriate professional training
and who is familiar with and to the community is an important
factor for success.
- To be effective, the services must be based on community needs.
- The involvement of community members in planning is key to
ensuring the services will be responsive to the needs of the
community.
- The support of leadership is essential. Their level of involvement
is not as important as their recognition of the need and support
for the program.
"Diabetes education training
for all staff involved is essential. Every staff member was
consulted during the needs assessment and now functions as
a communicator who promotes the program at the community
level." Project Coordinator - Wendake First Nation
- The program and its services need a foundation of a vision
and a philosophy for services which is supported by both leadership
and community members.
- The involvement of all levels of health staff in diabetes education
and program planning is important for success.
- Which ever model is used for the delivery of services, it is
most important that the diabetes service has the flexibility
to respond to the needs of the community and to each individual
client and family.
- A team approach that includes different health care professionals
from both the community and external agencies is essential. The
roles and responsibilities of team members should be clearly
identified to avoid overlap and enhance complimentary areas.
- Diabetes education and care can only be effective if they are
client centred.
- Increased diabetes awareness of prevention and how it can be
controlled needs to be communicated to the people.
"Encourage staff involvement
in activities thus enabling staff to feel part of the Project
and they may help you to reach your goals." Rigolet
Pilot Team
"Involve clients in all aspects
of care and show them to make decisions about their care.
Be thorough with care plan with client involvement." Rigolet
Public - Health Nurse
"Part of our success is that
we are working with (community members) at their pace. Some
people are very interested in systematic process but not
interested in focus or support groups, some are only interested
in nurse follow up or with nutritionist follow up and so
we need to know what method that they feel works best for
them." Wendake First Nation - Project Coordinator
"I knew diabetics as an emergency
physician. What I learned with the Project is diabetes is
not a sickness. I only knew the complications. People can
do a lot of things to prevent the complications and I was
convinced myself and succeeded in convincing people who came
to the workshops that they had a lot of power for their diabetes
management."
Health Consultant -Wendake First Nation
"The support of Powell River
health care providers and organizations has enabled us to
incorporate a traditionally known hospital program into a
community perspective. I believe this has created an awareness
of the strengths and challenges both identities experience.
This awareness has created creative, co-operative partnerships
in which client needs and issues can be addressed at several
different levels."
Sliammon First Nation Project Coordinator
The last word on planning:
"Choose one good coordinator who
is motivated, obtain the support of band council (without this
you won't go far), have a good working team, do not be discouraged
because with patience you will get to where you want to go." Health
Director - Wendake First Nation
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