The impact of culturally competent diabetes care interventions for improving diabetes-related outcomes in ethnic minority groups: a systematic review

Oct 3, 2026

Systematic review examining evidence for culturally competent interventions tailored to diabetes needs in ethnic minority groups, aiming to improve diabetes-related outcomes. Medline (NHS Evidence), CINAHL, and reference lists were searched from inception to September 2011, alongside Google, Cochrane, and DARE databases, with expert consultation. Included studies assessed impacts of culturally competent interventions on outcome measures across ethnic minority groups with diabetes; narrative analysis addressed heterogeneity, and CCAT evaluated cultural competency consistently. Benefits and positive outcome impacts were identified, with further research required.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

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University of Warwick institutional repository: [http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap](http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap) This paper is made available online in accordance with publisher policies. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item and our policy information available from the repository home page for further information. To see the final version of this paper please visit the publisher’s website. Access to the published version may require a subscription. Author(s): P. Zeh , H. K. Sandhu , A. M. Cannaby and J. A. Sturt Article Title: The impact of culturally competent diabetes care interventions for improving diabetes-related outcomes in ethnic minority groups: a systematic review Year of publication: 2012 Link to published article: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2012.03701.x](http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2012.03701.x) [Publisher statement: The definitive version is available at](Publisher statement: The definitive version is available at)[ ](Publisher statement: The definitive version is available at)[www.blackwell-synergy.com](www.blackwell-synergy.com) Review Article Title The impact of culturally-competent diabetes care interventions for improving diabetes-related outcomes in ethnic minority groups: A systematic review P. Zeh¹², H.K. Sandhu¹, A.M. Cannaby² & J.A. Sturt¹² 1. Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK 2. University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK Correspondence address: Peter Zeh PRI Suite (Opposite Ward 20), 2nd Floor East Wing, University Hospital, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK Work Phone: +44 (0) 024 7696 5619 Fax: +44 (0) 24 7696 4990 [Email:](Email: peter.zeh@uhcw.nhs.uk)[ ](Email: peter.zeh@uhcw.nhs.uk)[peter.zeh@uhcw.nhs.uk](Email: peter.zeh@uhcw.nhs.uk) Word count: Abstract 248, text excluding declarations/tables/figures 3999 Page 1 of 28 Abstract Aim: To examine the evidence on culturally-competent interventions tailored to the needs of people with diabetes from ethnic minority groups. Methods: Medline (NHS Evidence), CINAHL and reference lists of retrieved papers were searched from inception to September 2011 and two NHS specialist libraries. Google, Cochrane and DARE databases were interrogated, and experts consulted. Studies were included if they reported primary research on the impact of culturally-competent interventions on outcome measures of any Ethnic Minority Group with diabetes. Paper selection and appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers. The heterogeneity of the studies required narrative analysis. A novel culturallycompetent assessment tool (CCAT) was used to systematically assess the cultural competency of each intervention. Results: 320 papers were retrieved and eleven included. Study designs varied with a diverse range of service providers. Of the interventions, 64% were found to be highly culturally-competent (scoring 90%-100%), and 36% moderately culturally-competent (70%-89%) . Data were collected from 2616 participants on 22 patient reported outcome measures. A consistent finding from ten of the studies was that: any structured intervention, tailored to Ethnic Minority Groups by integrating elements of culture, language, religion, and health literacy skills, produced a positive impact on a range of patient important outcomes. Conclusions: Benefits in using culturally-competent interventions with Ethnic Minority Groups with diabetes were identified. The majority of interventions described as culturally-competent were confirmed as so, when assessed using the CCAT. Further good quality research is required to determine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of culturally-competent interventions to influence diabetes service commissioners. Key words: culturally-competent diabetes care, diabetes, ethnic minority groups, health worker, service delivery Abbreviations: AAs (African-Americans); ALWs (Asian link workers); BM

FAQs

What is the main aim of the systematic review?

To examine evidence on culturally competent interventions tailored to the needs of people with diabetes from ethnic minority groups for improving diabetes-related outcomes.

How were studies searched and selected?

Medline (NHS Evidence), CINAHL, and reference lists were searched from inception to September 2011, with additional database queries (Google, Cochrane, and DARE) and expert consultation; studies were included when reporting primary research on impact of culturally competent interventions on outcomes for ethnic minority groups with diabetes.

What method was used to assess cultural competency of interventions?

A novel culturally competent assessment tool (CCAT) was used to systematically assess the cultural competency of each intervention.

What were the review’s key findings and conclusions?

From 320 retrieved papers, eleven studies were included; 64% of interventions were highly culturally competent and 36% moderately so. Structured, culture-, language-, religion-, and health literacy-tailored interventions showed positive impacts across patient-important outcomes, and further high-quality research was recommended to determine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Oct 3, 2026

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