scholarly journals Health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: handle with care

2014 ◽  
Vol 200 (11) ◽  
pp. 613-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel Hayman ◽  
Ruth Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Torres Strait

Exploring Leave Events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People From Australian Tertiary Services: A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieann Coombes ◽  
Syazlin Sazali ◽  
Tamara Mackean ◽  
Margaret Banks ◽  
Nilva Egana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Objective The primary objective of this systematic review was to identify contributing causes to leave events from health services for Australian patients. The second objective was to identify evidence based preventative measures for effectively reducing leave events, which could be implemented. Study design Articles published in Australia were included if they reported on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians who leave health services prior to being seen or discharged by a medical professional. Two researchers screened each abstract and independently reviewed full text articles. Study quality was assessed, and data were extracted with standardised tools.Data sources MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications from May 27th to June 30th, 2020. The search returned 30 relevant records. Nine additional records were identified by manual search in Google Scholar. References of included articles were searched. From these articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 5 were from New South Wales, 2 from Western Australia, 1 each from Queensland and Northern Territory, two were conducted nationally. Data synthesis Four studies used a retrospective cohort method, one included patient interviews,(1) Four cohort studies and two systematic reviews were included. Two government reports and one health policy document were included in this review. All studies were from Australia using mixed methods.Conclusions This review identified causes for, and evidence based preventative measures that have been or could be implemented to reduce Leave Events and describes additional terms and definitions used for Leave Events.

Gonorrhoea testing and positivity in non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Harrod ◽  
Sophia Couzos ◽  
James Ward ◽  
Mark Saunders ◽  
Basil Donovan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Concurrent Testing

Background Gonorrhoea occurs at high levels in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities, but there are limited data on urban and regional settings. An analysis was undertaken of gonorrhoea testing and positivity at four non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services participating in a collaborative research network. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical encounter data derived from electronic medical records at participating services. Data were extracted using the GRHANITE program for all patients aged 15–54 years from 2009 to 2013. Demographic characteristics and testing and positivity for gonorrhoea were calculated for each year. Results: A total of 2971 patients (2571 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) were tested for gonorrhoea during the study period. Among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients, 40 (1.6%) tested positive. Gonorrhoea positivity was associated with clinic location (higher in the regional clinic) and having had a positive chlamydia test. By year, the proportion of patients aged 15–29 years tested for gonorrhoea increased in both men (7.4% in 2009 to 15.9% in 2013) and women (14.8% in 2009 to 25.3% in 2013). Concurrent testing for chlamydia was performed on 86.3% of testing occasions, increasing from 75% in 2009 to 92% in 2013. Factors related to concurrent testing were sex and year of test. Conclusions: The prevalence of gonorrhoea among young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in non-remote settings suggests that the current approach of duplex testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea simultaneously is justified, particularly for women.

scholarly journals Optimal Cancer Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: A Shared Approach to System Level Change

2020 ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Chynoweth ◽  
Meaghan M. McCambridge ◽  
Helen M. Zorbas ◽  
Jacinta K. Elston ◽  
Robert J.S. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
System Level ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Cultural Appropriateness ◽  
Torres Strait

PURPOSE To improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the development and national endorsement of the first population-specific optimal care pathway (OCP) to guide the delivery of high-quality, culturally appropriate, and evidence-based cancer care. METHODS An iterative methodology was undertaken over a 2-year period, and more than 70 organizations and individuals from diverse cultural, geographic, and sectorial backgrounds provided input. Cancer Australia reviewed experiences of care and the evidence base and undertook national public consultation with the Indigenous health sector and community, health professionals, and professional colleges. Critical to the OCP development was the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experts and consumers. RESULTS The OCP received unanimous endorsement by all federal, state, and territory health ministers. Key elements of the OCP include attention to the cultural appropriateness of the health care environment; improvement in cross-cultural communication; relationship building with local community; optimization of health literacy; recognition of men’s and women’s business; and the need to use culturally appropriate resources. The OCP can be used as a tool for health services and health professionals to identify gaps in current cancer services and to inform quality improvement initiatives across all aspects of the care pathway. CONCLUSION The development of the OCP identified a number of areas that require prioritization. Ensuring culturally safe and accessible health services is essential to support early presentation and diagnosis. Multidisciplinary treatment planning and patient-centered care are required for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, irrespective of location. Health planners and governments acknowledge the imperative for change and have expressed strong commitment to work with Indigenous Australians to improve the accessibility, cultural appropriateness, and quality of cancer care.

Investigating equity in access to Australian clinical genetic health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Luke ◽  
Philippa Dalach ◽  
Lindsay Tuer ◽  
Ravi Savarirayan ◽  
Angeline Ferdinand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Clinical Genomics ◽  
Equity In Access ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Equity Of Access

Abstract Globally, there is a recognised need for a greater commitment to an equity agenda in clinical genomics and precision medicine. Fundamental to this, is the equitable access by all to services providing genomic health care. However, achieving this remains constrained by a paucity of evidence that quantifies (in)equity of access to clinical genomics, particularly amongst Indigenous populations. Using administrative data from clinical genetic health services located in three jurisdictions (States/Territories) in Australia, we investigate equity in the scheduling and attendance of appointments among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, compared to non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. For 15554 appointments scheduled between 2014-2018, adjusted Multivariate Poisson Regression models revealed that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people were scheduled fewer appointments (IRR 0.73 [0.68-0.80], <0.001) and attended at lower rates (IRR 0.85 [0.78-0.93], <0.001). Within this population, adults, females, people living in remote locations, and those presenting in relation to cancer or prenatal indications experienced the greatest disparity in access. As the first quantitative, multi-jurisdictional study to measure access to clinical genetic health services, these results provide important baseline data related to the reach and equity of these services in Australia and contribute to the global effort to address equity in genomic health.

Does attending Work It Out – a chronic disease self-management program – affect the use of other health services by urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with or at risk of chronic disease? A comparison between program participants and non-participants

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 464
Author(s):  
Jie Hu ◽  
Tabinda Basit ◽  
Alison Nelson ◽  
Emma Crawford ◽  
Lyle Turner
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Team Care ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Services Use

Work It Out is a holistic chronic disease self-management program for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland, which is part of an integrated and comprehensive system of care for chronic disease management. This study examines differences in primary healthcare services use between Work It Out participants and non-participants. This retrospective observational study of services use, analysed data extracted from the clinical medical records system and Work It Out program assessments. General practitioner and allied health services use were compared among the participants and non-participants using logistic regression models and zero-truncated Poisson and negative binomial regression models. Compared with non-participants, Work It Out participants were more likely to use GP management plans, GP team care arrangements, GP mental health consultation and subsequent allied health services. Among those who used the services more than once, Work It Out participants had higher service use rates than non-participants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, GP management plans, team care arrangements and podiatry, physiotherapy and dietetic services. Engagement in Work It Out can facilitate the use of primary healthcare services, which are important for chronic disease management for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Engaging with Aboriginal Shire Councils in remote Cape York communities to address smoke-free environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Kiarah E. Cuthbert ◽  
Clare Brown ◽  
Melinda Hammond ◽  
Tiffany A. Williams ◽  
Desmond Tayley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Health Council ◽  
Cape York ◽  
Torres Strait

The high prevalence and health effect of tobacco smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is well known. Due to its significance, the responsibility of tackling smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should not remain solely with health service providers. The creation of supportive environments and collaboration beyond the health sector are critical elements of comprehensive primary health care practised by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. This paper discusses how Apunipima Cape York Health Council worked with three Aboriginal Shire Councils to create more smoke-free places, using local working groups, information sessions and community-based health promotion. The flexibility and the time allocated to the engagement process with councils, community leaders, organisations and community members were important. All three communities acknowledged the benefits of role modelling and working together to improve health, with addressing tobacco smoking seen as ‘everyone’s business’ and ‘not just service providers’. Aboriginal Shire Councils can play a critical role, in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, in creating healthy places that enable healthy choices.

Development of a Maternal and Child mHealth Intervention with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mothers: A Co-Design Approach (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jane PERKES
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Health Behaviour Change ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Design Characteristics

BACKGROUND Despite their growing popularity, there are very few mobile health (mHealth) interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are culturally safe and evidence-based. A co-design approach is considered a suitable methodology for developing health interventions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to co-design a mHealth intervention to improve health knowledge, health behaviours, and access to health services for women caring for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. METHODS Aboriginal researchers led engagement and recruitment with health services and participants in three Aboriginal communities in New South Wales Australia. Focus groups and interviews were facilitated by researchers and an app developer to gather information on three pre-determined themes, 1) design characteristics, 2) content modules, and 3) features and functions. Findings from the co-design led to the development of an intervention prototype. Theories of health behaviour change were used to underpin intervention components. Existing publicly available evidence-based information was used to develop content. Governance was provided by an Aboriginal Advisory group RESULTS Thirty-one mothers and 11 health professionals participated in eight co-design focus groups and 12 interviews from June to September 2019. Six design characteristics identified as important were: (1) Credibility, (2) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and cultural safety, (3) Family centredness, (4) Supportive, (5) Simple to use, and (6) Confidential. Content modules include six modules for women’s health: (1) Smoke free families, (2) Safe drinking, (3) Feeling Good, (4) Women’s Business, (5) Eating, (6) Exercise; and six modules for children’s health: (1) Breathing Well, (2) Sleeping, (3) Milestones, (4) Feeding and Eating, (5) Vaccinations and Medicine, and (6) Ears, Eyes and Teeth. Six technology features and functions were also identified: (1) Content feed, (2) Social connection, (3) Reminders, (4) Rewards, (5) Communication with health professionals, and (6) Use of videos. CONCLUSIONS An mHealth intervention including app, Facebook page, and text message modalities was developed based on the co-design findings. The intervention incorporates health behaviour change theory, evidence-based information and the preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and health professionals. A pilot study is now needed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention.

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