A new Kimberley-based study is helping Aboriginal people living with diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) and identifying ways to improve culturally safe care.
The study, Healing Steps on Country, is a collaboration between Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), WA Country Health Service (WACHS), the University of Notre Dame Australia, Boab Health Services, Kimberley Renal Service and the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA).
KAMS Public Health Registrar and Notre Dame Lecturer Dr Sophie Moustaka, was the chief investigator of the project.
The project documents the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people navigating care for DFD in the Kimberley.
The research builds on insights from the KAMS Kimberley Foot Initiative (KFI) project, where health teams observed that patients experienced highly varied care pathways.
This prompted a deeper investigation to better understand patient journeys and identify gaps in care delivery.
Dr Moustaka said understanding lived experience was essential for shaping effective health initiatives.
"It helps ensure services are culturally safe and truly responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities," Dr Moustaka said.
The study highlights the impact diabetes-related foot disease can have on people's lives, including limiting independence, employment and participation in cultural activities such as hunting and camping.
Participants emphasised that foot health is closely tied to overall wellbeing and connection to community, while also demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of ongoing health challenges.
A key finding of the research is the important role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in delivering effective care.
These services provide holistic, culturally informed support that address not only physical health, but also social, emotional and cultural wellbeing.
"Strong, ongoing relationships built through ACCHS are critical, particularly for managing chronic conditions like DFD where trust and cultural safety are essential," Dr Moustaka said.
The research also identified significant opportunities to strengthen prevention and early intervention. Diabetes-related foot disease is a leading cause of lower limb amputation in Australia, yet early detection and treatment can prevent most cases.
Despite this, the study found relatively low documentation of preventive foot care, highlighting a potential gap between best practice and current service delivery.
Researchers say expanding preventive care—particularly through ACCHS—along with improving access to culturally appropriate services, will be key to improving long-term outcomes and reducing avoidable complications.
The study is the first of its kind to provide an in-depth account of Aboriginal people's experiences living with diabetes-related foot disease in the Kimberley, offering critical insights to inform future health service improvements.
The research team acknowledged the contributions of study participants and the value of partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, whose insights were central to the project.
