How COVID-19 Changed Diabetes Care for Ethnic Minorities: A Closer Look

You might think the COVID-19 pandemic just affected how we catch colds. But it also shook up how people with diabetes get care, especially ethnic minorities. This study took a good look at how the pandemic changed things like controlling diabetes and using online or phone appointments. They wanted to find out what worked and what didn’t, so we can make diabetes care better for everyone. At the start, people were worried about going to hospitals and clinics. So, many health centers switched to video calls or phone chats for check-ups. This was a big change, especially for ethnic minorities who might have language barriers or not be familiar with technology. But was it a good change? That’s what this study wanted to figure out. The study talked to both patients and healthcare providers to get a full picture. They asked about the good stuff and the bad stuff. Like, was it easier to manage diabetes with online help? Or did people feel more alone? Did healthcare providers feel like they could give good care over a screen? Or did they miss seeing patients in person? Another thing this study looked at was how well people were controlling their diabetes during the pandemic. Were they keeping their blood sugar levels in check? Or were they having more problems? This can give us clues about how changes in care affect health. Finally, the study asked about lessons learned. What should we keep doing even after the pandemic is over? What needs to change? This is important because diabetes care is always changing. We need to make sure it’s the best it can be, especially for those who might face extra challenges.