Diabetes a Chronic Diseases among the Aboriginals in Australia

Questions: 1.Give a detailed description and demonstrate an understanding of the Sociological and Cultural Impacts of Diabetes/Chronic disease in the Aboriginal Community.2.a.Give a definition of what a Digital Narrative is and why the Webpage Employs it as a Health Promotion tool, being Mindful of Communication Style and techniques.2.b.Compare the Similarities and differences of https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ which is designed for the Mainstream vs "How's Your Sugar?". Please Cite the Web Pages on the referencing page. 3.Provide an Example of another Website that uses a Narrative Health Model. www address Only.4.Conclusion based on your Investigation to reflect your Professional Response. Answers: 1.Diabetes is one of the worlds fastest growing chronic diseases among the Aboriginals in Australia. The greatest burden tends to fall on the Indigenous people who are among the most socially disadvantaged groups (Burrow Ride, 2016). There are many social and cultural impacts of diabetes or chronic diseases among the Aboriginal population. It not only affects the daily life of the people who are suffering from diabetes, but all their family members and friends. It affects the lifestyle, eating and drinking habits and other aspects of life of the Aboriginal people. They face problems in getting jobs or obtaining driving licenses (Aspin et al., 2012). There are many psychological impacts of the disease on the people as they need to make many changes in their food habits and alterations in their daily life. Apart from the person suffering from diabetes or any chronic disease, the family members have to make adjustments to the changes that greatly affect the relationships and their own lives. There are burden and impact of diabetes complications in the people affecting their social and cultural lives. There is loss of sight or limb amputation that affects the persons ability to perform their daily activities. It also affects their ability to participate in the social activities and greatly challenge their independence. It also affects the daily routine activities like mobility, self-care and communication (Lowell et al., 2012). The complications like kidney dialysis leading to constant hospital visits for dialysis consumes a lot of time. There are also indirect effects like psychological impacts and impacts on the well-being and social-life of the person affected with diabetes. In the course of struggling to cope up with the daily lifestyle changes, they develop stress and feeling of hopelessness towards their life (Brundisini et al., 2013). There are social issues like change in regular meals, insulin tablets, and disposal of needles is not a simple in the outreach communities as they are concentrated on the acute health problems and social issues encountered on a daily basis. According to Sun Buys, (2013), the Aboriginal population experience social disadvantage in terms of lack of access to healthcare services, employment, education, housing and income. They die prematurely from diabetes and other chronic diseases as compared to people with high socioeconomic status. The psychological stress related to daily activities in the management of diabetes is affecting the Aboriginals in terms of social, cultural, environmental or economic aspects. To help the Aboriginals to cope up with the diabetes, related stress issues and its relationship to management of diabetes, a website, "How's Your Sugar?" is introduced as a health promotion tool that for the wellness of the Aboriginal population in Australia. The website, "How's Your Sugar?" devised by Australian Community Center for Diabetes (ACCD), based at Victoria Universitys campus has developed this website for the Indigenous people by the Indigenous people. This website deals with the practicalities of the Indigenous people living well with diabetes (howsyoursugar.com.au, 2017). The most important aspect of this website is the peer to peer narrative which is appropriate as a health promotion tool among the Indigenous people. They interact through simple graphics and interactive video clips that explains the importance of food, physical exercise, smoking cessation and medication in controlling diabetes. The peer to peer narrative based website outlines that challenges and successes of the interviewees where they understand the importance of using internet to promote health by sharing their health stories. People suffering from diabetes know how to manage their lifestyle to cope up with the disease and this information is supplemented with the practical realities through this website instead of providing brochure in diabetes management (Ziebland Wyke, 2012). Although diabetes is a medical condition, it is also a social and cultural experience and so it needs to be voiced and shared to know the areas of priority in diabetes management. The use of narrative is a promising health promotion tool in this website as narration is considered to be a method of sharing knowledge among the different communities (Morris Morris, 2012). When people share their health stories and experiences in managing diabetes, it helps to map the struggling areas and work for the betterment for the management. This website is greatly helpful for the Aboriginal peoples wellness as it helps to map the areas the Aboriginal population is struggling with in their daily management of diabetes. It also helps to plan the successful strategies for the better management of diabetes. Through the understanding of diabetes from a cultural and social perspective, this website helps to voice and address the concerns of the Aboriginals regarding diabetes management. When they share their health experiences through the peer to peer narrative, they are able to share knowledge and develop skills for the better management of diabetes (Dale, Williams Bowyer, 2012). It also helps to close the gap by providing evidence through the evidence based in informing the practice and policy for the Aboriginal health (Schweier et al., 2014). It helps them to provide information to the people in highlighting important messages about diabetes and value of family and community support that would help to manage diabetes in a better way. 2.a.Digital narrative or digital storytelling is a technique that employs the new practice of storytelling through the digital tools. They are accompanied by video, photographs, music, sound and a narrative voice. Digital narrative is used as a health promotion tool by the website that engages people in group-based process where they share their health stories (Sweet, 2013). When the people tell their health stories, it demonstrates positive social interactions and increase in optimism towards health behavior change (Cunsolo Willox, Harper Edge, 2013). Digital storytelling helps to promote the health stories, lived experiences of the Indigenous population and relates them to reality. As a result, it aid in engaging communities and in the development of capacities for lifestyle changes to diabetes (O'mara, 2013). As the Indigenous population is the most disadvantaged groups, so "How's Your Sugar?" website addresses the health disparities of the Aboriginals and voice their experiences and Indigenous knowledge in the community. As a result, it helps to locate the power of the Aboriginals within the indigenous community. The digital narrative is culturally relevant and respectful as described by the viewers of this website (Matthews Sunderland, 2013). As the health stories shared in this website are of the community people, the viewers consider them to be culturally inclined, relevant and respectful. The digital stories shared by the people are related to the Aboriginal population and they feel good to see the stories and know what is the present scenario regarding diabetes management among their population (Rowsell et al., 2015). It is also a way to make people learn about diabetes and it acts as a way to increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of diabetes management (Beltrn Begun, 2014). Through this website, Aboriginals have internalized health messages and added meaning to their lives. In digital narrative, communication styles and techniques are important. Through this website, people learn to discuss and converse difficult and diverse perspectives about diabetes. There is a feeling of inspiration, insight and critical thinking among the people regarding their health and in the better management of diabetes (Wentzer Bygholm, 2013). As a result of health stories shared through this website, Indigenous population is intended to make changes in their health behavior for the diabetes management. It helps to link research to practice as it is considered to be an innovative tool as its locus of control is the Indigenous people and situated within the local community (Baym, 2015). There is various communication skills involved in digital narrative. There is a great requirement of skills that helps to translate the raw information into knowledge that is valuable and sense-making to the people. Digital storytelling makes the science fact or current event more alive for the viewers and relatable. The quality of the communication is important as it helps to detail and visualize the health stories that are important for the people to analyze and understand it (Lal, Donnelly Shin, 2015). Communication style and techniques that immerses the viewer into the experiences and thinking of the story teller is a crucial aspect of the digital narrative. As the digital narrative involves more than just words, effective communication is required to understand the content that is worth sharing (Flottemesch, 2013). The crafting of communication is required so that it reaches out to people in informing and influencing them. The narrator starts in a dramatic way and concludes it in a memorable way so that the viewers are hooked to the video clip. 2.b.There are similarities and differences between the mainstream website like https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ and "How's Your Sugar?" website. The mainstream website provides information about the diabetes that is developed by the Australian government depicting what they are doing in order to prevent, manage and control diabetes among the Australian population (com.au, 2017). It is aimed at general public providing practical information. On the other hand, "How's Your Sugar?" website is developed by the Victoria University which is focused on the diabetes management among the Indigenous population (howsyoursugar.com.au, 2017). Another major difference between them is that mainstream website majorly reflects upon legislation, user need and policy. "How's Your Sugar?" website focuses on the diabetes management among the Indigenous population through peer to peer narrative via video clips. The video clips contain the health stories narrated by the Aboriginal people living with d iabetes. It is more effective than mainstream website as the digital narrative provide videos that are more culturally relevant and relatable the community people. People are able to make more sense of the complex chronic disease like diabetes through experiences and make more sense based on storyline. Digital narrative through "How's Your Sugar?" website has entered the mainstream due to technological explosion and high level of engagement. The similarity between the both website is that it deals with the diabetes prevention, management and control among the Australian population. Both the website provides wide information regarding diabetes management and the common parameter is the healthy well-being of the Australian population with respect to proper diabetes management and control. 3.Another similar website that also promotes health through narrative health model is https://beacon.anu.edu.au/service/website/browse/33/Physical_Health. Physical Services, P. (2017). Physical Health Websites | Beacon. Beacon.anu.edu.au. Retrieved 1 April 2017, from https://beacon.anu.edu.au/service/website/browse/33/Physical_Health 4.As a health care professional, I think, the website, "How's Your Sugar?" is an innovative tool for education and health promotion. It provides a platform for the people to tell their health stories and understand health in a more efficient, informative and educational way. Through narrative health, healthcare professionals are able to access the peoples health in providing them holistic care (Lambert, 2013). It is a better way to connect to people while listening to their health stories and delivery of healthcare through bio-medical health process. It is also a way to get additional information about the patients apart from the visible symptoms. The digital narrative provide the feelings of the patient about their prevailing condition that enables the healthcare professionals to address the psychological and emotional issues that are manifested as a result of the illness (Flaounas et al., 2013). When the healthcare professionals listen to the stories of the people, they are able to offer accurate and better diagnoses for the patients. Moreover, it also provides individualized treatment that aids the patient in reframing their disease and feels validated. As a healthcare professional, digital narrative helps them to assess and process better the information provided by the patients (Wexler et al., 2013). It also encourages the healthcare professionals to use creativity, active listening and problem solving skills to assess the appropriate patient conditions. When the healthcare professionals assess patients by taking into account their emotional needs, they develop strong, warm relationship with their patients (Hyett, Kenny Dickson-Swift, 2014). As a healthcare professional, the knowledge about the patients in terms of their physical health and personal lives can be applied to the therapeutic process. When the patients perspectives are assessed by the healthcare professionals, it helps them in research and training in the priority areas focusing on the research gaps among the community population (DeSmet et al., 2014). It helps to develop a therapeutic relationship with the patient and provides a source of knowledge for evidence beyond the traditional medical models and in providing the patient-centered care (Cueva et al., 2013). When the healthcare professionals listen to the health stories, they are able to see and assess the difficulties of the patients and help to remove the obstacles in the promotion of health. Therefore, it is an innovate tool in the promotion of health and education. References Aspin, C., Brown, N., Jowsey, T., Yen, L., Leeder, S. (2012). Strategic approaches to enhanced health service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic illness: a qualitative study.BMC health services research,12(1), 143. Baym, N. K. (2015).Personal connections in the digital age. John Wiley Sons. Beltrn, R., Begun, S. (2014). It is Medicine Narratives of Healing from the Aotearoa Digital Storytelling as Indigenous Media Project (ADSIMP).Psychology and Developing Societies,26(2), 155-179. Brundisini, F., Giacomini, M., DeJean, D., Vanstone, M., Winsor, S., Smith, A. (2013). Chronic disease patients experiences with accessing health care in rural and remote areas: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.Ont Health Technol Assess Ser,13(15), 1-33. Burrow, S., Ride, K. (2016). Review of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Mt Lawley (AUST): Edith Cowan University Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet. Cueva, M., Kuhnley, R., Revels, L. J., Cueva, K., Dignan, M., Lanier, A. P. (2013). Bridging storytelling traditions with digital technology.International journal of circumpolar health,72. Cunsolo Willox, A., Harper, S. L., Edge, V. L. (2013). Storytelling in a digital age: digital storytelling as an emerging narrative method for preserving and promoting indigenous oral wisdom.Qualitative Research,13(2), 127-147. Dale, J. R., Williams, S. M., Bowyer, V. (2012). What is the effect of peer support on diabetes outcomes in adults? A systematic review.Diabetic Medicine,29(11), 1361-1377. DeSmet, A., Van Ryckeghem, D., Compernolle, S., Baranowski, T., Thompson, D., Crombez, G., ... Vandebosch, H. (2014). A meta-analysis of serious digital games for healthy lifestyle promotion.Preventive medicine,69, 95-107. Flaounas, I., Ali, O., Lansdall-Welfare, T., De Bie, T., Mosdell, N., Lewis, J., Cristianini, N. (2013). RESEARCH METHODS IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL JOURNALISM: Massive-scale automated analysis of news-contenttopics, style and gender.Digital Journalism,1(1), 102-116. Flottemesch, K. (2013). Learning through narratives: The impact of digital storytelling on intergenerational relationships.Academy of Educational Leadership Journal,17(3), 53. Hyett, N., Kenny, A., Dickson-Swift, V. (2014). Methodology or method? A critical review of qualitative case study reports.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being,9. Lal, S., Donnelly, C., Shin, J. (2015). Digital storytelling: An innovative tool for practice, education, and research.Occupational therapy in health care,29(1), 54-62. Lambert, J. (2013).Digital storytelling: Capturing lives, creating community. Routledge. Lowell, A., Maypilama, E., Yikaniwuy, S., Rrapa, E., Williams, R., Dunn, S. (2012). Hiding the story: Indigenous consumer concerns about communication related to chronic disease in one remote region of Australia.International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology,14(3), 200-208. Matthews, N., Sunderland, N. (2013). Digital life-story narratives as data for policy makers and practitioners: Thinking through methodologies for large-scale multimedia qualitative datasets.Journal of Broadcasting Electronic Media,57(1), 97-114. Morris, R., Morris, P. (2012). Participants experiences of hospital-based peer support groups for stroke patients and carers.Disability and rehabilitation,34(4), 347-354. O'mara, B. (2013). Social media, digital video and health promotion in a culturally and linguistically diverse Australia.Health Promotion International,28(3), 466-476. Rowsell, A., Muller, I., Murray, E., Little, P., Byrne, C. D., Ganahl, K., ... Nutbeam, D. (2015). Views of people with high and low levels of health literacy about a digital intervention to promote physical activity for diabetes: A qualitative study in five countries.Journal of medical Internet research,17(10). Schweier, R., Romppel, M., Richter, C., Hoberg, E., Hahmann, H., Scherwinski, I., ... Grande, G. (2014). A web-based peer-modeling intervention aimed at lifestyle changes in patients with coronary heart disease and chronic back pain: sequential controlled trial.Journal of medical Internet research,16(7), e177. Sun, J., Buys, N. J. (2013). Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians well-being using participatory community singing approach.International Journal on Disability and Human Development,12(3), 305-316. Sweet, M. A. (2013). Social media: new links for Indigenous health.Med J Aust,199(1), 18. Wentzer, H. S., Bygholm, A. (2013). Narratives of empowerment and compliance: Studies of communication in online patient support groups.International journal of medical informatics,82(12), e386-e394. Wexler, L., Gubrium, A., Griffin, M., DiFulvio, G. (2013). Promoting positive youth development and highlighting reasons for living in Northwest Alaska through digital storytelling.Health Promotion Practice,14(4), 617-623. Ziebland, S. U. E., Wyke, S. (2012). Health and illness in a connected world: how might sharing experiences on the internet affect people's health?.The Milbank Quarterly,90(2), 219-249.