Informing culturally safe and resonant care practices for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity; an exploratory study into the perspectives and understandings of First Nations people in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

Australia’s First Nations people experience the highest rates of preventable chronic conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the rest of the Australian population. Yet, the complexity of how health is understood by First Nations peoples is not reflected within current health care systems or approaches for T2D and/or obesity management. Care is typically framed through a linear and individualistic Western lens, inappropriate and dissonant from First Nations peoples holistic view of health. Culturally unsafe environments can also reinforce concepts of blame, stigma, and racial bias around diabetes and obesity resulting in the disengagement of First Nations patients with health professionals and community-based health services. Adopting the lens of culturally safe and resonate care, this research aims to explore some of the complex obstacles impacting opportunities for First Nations people to meaningfully engage with local health professionals for the effective management of obesity and/or T2D. Specifically, this research aims to better understand T2D and obesity from the perspectives of First Nations people in the Kimberley region, Western Australia. This exploratory study will contribute to the advancement of culturally safe and resonant care, practices, and approaches, to improve health care outcomes of First Nations people with a T2D and/or obesity diagnosis within the Kimberley. It will explore beyond the current application of culturally ‘competent’ care practices, towards strategies achieving a decolonised care approach which privilege the distinct worldview of First Nations people in the Kimberley region.