Aboriginal Community Controlled Comprehensive Primary Health Care: The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Bartlett ◽  
John Boffa
Keyword(s):  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Community Control ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Comprehensive Primary Health Care ◽  
High Quality Medical Care ◽  
Dominant Society

Aboriginal community controlled PHC services have led the way in Australia in developing a model of PHC service that is able to address social issues and the underlying determinants of health alongside high quality medical care. This model is characterised by a comprehensive style rather than the selective PHC model that tends to be more common in mainstream services. Central to comprehensive PHC is community control, which is critical to the bottom up approach rather than the top down approach of selective PHC. The expansion of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in Australia is a product of the colonial relationship that persists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia. It is this relationship that explains why community control has been a feature of Aboriginal PHC services while similar attempts in the dominant society have tended to be incorporated into the mainstream. The mechanisms of control occur through community processes and should not be confused with day to day management processes, although the two are related. The Core Functions of PHC is a framework that reflects the experience of ACCHSs and allows for the development and assessment of comprehensive PHC. This framework is applied to a case study of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) which is the major Aboriginal health service in central Australia. The case study illustrates increasing utilisation of PHC services by Aboriginal people, and the capacity of community controlled organisations to respond to demographic and health pattern changes in their client populations.

Considering the Impact of Social Media on Contemporary Improvement of Australian Aboriginal Health: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy Walker ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Karen Klassen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Community Control ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Torres Strait

BACKGROUND Social media may have a significant role in influencing the present and future health implications among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, yet there has been no review of the role of social media in improving health. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the extent of health initiatives using social media that aimed to improve the health of Australian Aboriginal communities. METHODS A scoping review was conducted by systematically searching databases CINAHL Plus; PubMed; Scopus; Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE in June 2017 using the terms and their synonyms “Aboriginal” and “Social media.” In addition, reference lists of included studies and the Indigenous HealthInfonet gray literature were searched. Key information about the social media intervention and its impacts on health were extracted and data synthesized using narrative summaries. RESULTS Five papers met inclusion criteria. All included studies were published in the past 5 years and involved urban, rural, and remote Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 12-60 years. No studies reported objective impacts on health. Three papers found that social media provided greater space for sharing health messages in a 2-way exchange. The negative portrayal of Aboriginal people and negative health impacts of social media were described in 2 papers. CONCLUSIONS Social media may be a useful strategy to provide health messages and sharing of content among Aboriginal people, but objective impacts on health remain unknown. More research is necessary on social media as a way to connect, communicate, and improve Aboriginal health with particular emphasis on community control, self-empowerment, and decolonization.

scholarly journals Factors supporting retention of health and wellbeing staff in Aboriginal health services: a strength-based case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Deroy ◽  
Heike Schütze
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Social Accountability ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Staff Retention ◽  
Professional Advancement ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Abstract Background Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are fundamental to improving the health and welfare of Aboriginal peoples. A key element that contributes to the effectiveness of these services are Aboriginal health and wellbeing staff. However, Aboriginal health and wellbeing staff often suffer high rates of stress and burnout. Current literature focuses on proposed strategies to increase staff retention in Aboriginal Health Services, yet, there is limited information available showcasing what has actually worked. Method This was an intrinsic strengths-based case study of one regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. Semi-structured research yarning interviews were conducted with past and present staff employed in health and wellbeing roles to highlight the factors that staff felt contributed to their retention. Results Ten interviews were conducted between February and April 2018. Six key themes emerged: social accountability, teamwork and collaboration, cultural safety, supervision, professional advancement, and recognition. We add to the literature by identifying the importance of bi-directional communication, and showing that social accountability, teamwork and collaboration, cultural safety, supervision, professional advancement, and recognition continue to be important factors that contribute to health and wellbeing staff retention in Aboriginal Health Services. Conclusion This exemplar Aboriginal Health Service may provide insights into future strategies to improve staff retention in other health services.

The Use of the Toxic Plant Myoporum montanum in a Traditional Australian Aboriginal Medicine

2016 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zaleta-Pinet ◽  
Adam McCluskey ◽  
Sharron Hall ◽  
Joseph Brophy ◽  
Chris Ashhurst-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Water Extract ◽  
Retention Indices ◽  
Gas Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Total Extract ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons

Plants from the family Myoporaceae, which includes the genus Myoporum, are extremely prized by the Australian Aboriginal people for their medicinal properties. Leaves from a plant, which was subsequently identified as Myoporum montanum, were provided for chemical investigation by representatives of an Aboriginal community from the Northern Tablelands district of northern New South Wales, Australia. Acetone extraction of the leaves provided a complex mixture of compounds including sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and more polar furanosesquiterpenes, which were identified by gas–liquid chromatography and retention indices (sesquiterpene hydrocarbons) and spectrometric techniques (furanosesquiterpenes). The major compounds found in a water extract were studied for their antibacterial activity using a disc diffusion assay and for their cell growth inhibition activity. The acetone extract contained sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (~30 % of the total extract) in which the major compounds were germacrene-D and bicyclogermacrene. In addition, the extract contained five known toxic furanosesquiterpenes: myoporum ketol, (–)-10,11-dehydroisomyodesmone, (+)-10,11-dehydromyodesmone, 10,11-dehydromyoporum ketol, (–)-10,11-dehydromyoporone, and (±)-myoporone. An aqueous extract of the leaves, emulating the medicinal tea used by the Australian Aboriginal community, was found not to contain significant quantities of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and the most toxic furanosesquiterpenes. (±)-Myoporone and (–)-10,11-dehydromyoporone remained in the extract as well as a new furanosesquiterpene, 11-hydroxymyoporone. These three compounds were found to have significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Moraxella catarrhalis but low cytotoxicity against a range of cancer cell lines and normal breast cells at 25 µM.

Contribution of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services to improving Aboriginal health: an evidence review

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Ann Campbell ◽  
Jennifer Hunt ◽  
David J. Scrimgeour ◽  
Maureen Davey ◽  
Victoria Jones
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Primary Health

Objective Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) deliver comprehensive, culturally appropriate primary health care to Aboriginal people and communities. The published literature acknowledging and supporting the roles of ACCHSs in improving Aboriginal health is limited. This paper seeks to collate and analyse the published evidence supporting the contribution of ACCHSs to improving the health of Aboriginal people. Methods A conceptual framework for exploring the contribution of ACCHSs was developed, drawing on the literature on the core functions of ACCHSs and the components of quality primary health care. This framework was used to structure the search strategy, inclusion criteria and analysis of the review. Results ACCHSs contribute to improving the health and well being of Aboriginal peoples through several pathways, including community controlled governance, providing employment and training, strengthening the broader health system and providing accessible, comprehensive primary health care. Conclusions ACCHSs make a range of important contributions to improving the health of Aboriginal peoples that are under-acknowledged. Consideration of the different ways ACCHSs contribute to improving Aboriginal health is of value in the design and evaluation of programs and policies that aim to improve the health of Aboriginal peoples. What is known about the topic? Aboriginal communities have long argued the vital role of ACCHSs in improving Aboriginal health. What does this paper add? This paper provides a comprehensive collation and analysis of the evidence supporting the contributions ACCHSs are making to improving Aboriginal health. What are the implications for practitioners? The conceptual framework and findings outlined in this paper illustrate that ACCHSs are making important contributions to improving Aboriginal health through several pathways. This information can be used to ensure actions to improve Aboriginal health are appropriate and effective. There are important gaps in the literature that researchers need to address.

scholarly journals Developing the rural health workforce to improve Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes: a systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Gwynne ◽  
Michelle Lincoln
Keyword(s):  
Health Workforce ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Health Delivery ◽  
Remote Health ◽  
Rural And Remote Health

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify evidence-based strategies in the literature for developing and maintaining a skilled and qualified rural and remote health workforce in Australia to better meet the health care needs of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter Aboriginal) people. Methods A systematic search strategy was implemented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and checklist. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied, and 26 papers were included in the study. These 26 papers were critically evaluated and analysed for common findings about the rural health workforce providing services for Aboriginal people. Results There were four key findings of the study: (1) the experience of Aboriginal people in the health workforce affects their engagement with education, training and employment; (2) particular factors affect the effectiveness and longevity of the non-Aboriginal workforce working in Aboriginal health; (3) attitudes and behaviours of the workforce have a direct effect on service delivery design and models in Aboriginal health; and (4) student placements affect the likelihood of applying for rural and remote health jobs in Aboriginal communities after graduation. Each finding has associated evidence-based strategies including those to promote the engagement and retention of Aboriginal staff; training and support for non-Aboriginal health workers; effective service design; and support strategies for effective student placement. Conclusions Strategies are evidenced in the peer-reviewed literature to improve the rural and remote workforce for health delivery for Australian Aboriginal people and should be considered by policy makers, funders and program managers. What is known about the topic? There is a significant amount of peer-reviewed literature about the recruitment and retention of the rural and remote health workforce. What does this paper add? There is a gap in the literature about strategies to improve recruitment and retention of the rural and remote health workforce for health delivery for Australian Aboriginal people. This paper provides evidence-based strategies in four key areas. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings of the present study are relevant for policy makers, funders and program managers in rural and remote Aboriginal health.

Developing Aboriginal Community Involvement in Education

1982 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
J. Beasley
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Natural Resistance ◽  
Community Control ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Mission Schools ◽  
The Many

Most Aboriginal communities in Australia have been provided with government schools, built, staffed and organized by government departments. As with mission schools, the motivation for schooling has largely come from outside the community itself, though often with tacit community support. Although formal ‘Western’ schooling fits uncomfortably with the values of a hunter-gatherer society, in most cases schools have adapted very little to the special environment of an Aboriginal community. Not surprisingly, both achievement and attendance are often poor. Attempts to vary programs, as in bilingual education, and to augment the staff of these schools with Aboriginal teacher aides (teaching assistants), have not altered this situation greatly, though this does not negate the worth of these initiatives.One of the many possible reasons for this predicament is the lack of community control over what happens in its school. In many cases this is almost absolute, duplicating the lack of control over land, law, health services and many other aspects of life. For this reason, schools have been seen by some authors as one of the more direct agents of cultural change, acting to assimilate Aboriginal people into white society with a community that functions as a ‘total’ institution. The natural resistance of Aboriginal people to this process is likely to have profound implications for Aboriginal community schools.

scholarly journals Research Protocol: Retention of the Aboriginal health, ageing, and disability workforce (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gilroy ◽  
Kim Bulkeley ◽  
Folau Talbott ◽  
Josephine Gwynn ◽  
Kylie Gwynne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Staff Retention ◽  
Methodological Framework ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Disability Service ◽  
Barriers And Enablers

BACKGROUND Despite Australia being one of the most developed nations in the world there is a significant and widening gap in health and welfare between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people, and non-Aboriginal people. Aboriginal workers known or local to Aboriginal communities who access the health, ageing, and disability supports play a vital role in guiding their non-Aboriginal colleagues in ways to adapt their interactions, advice, and interventions to ensure they are culturally appropriate and safe for Aboriginal patients and clients. There is a need to identify the factors that inhibit (push) and promote (pull) staff retention or departure of this workforce from various sectors. This study aims to identify the barriers and enablers to retaining Aboriginal people who do not have university qualifications in the heath, disability and aged care workforces. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify the barriers and enablers to retaining Aboriginal people who do not have university qualifications in the heath, disability and aged care workforces. In this paper, ‘frontline service delivery’ is defined as Aboriginal staff who are paid employees in the health, ageing, disability, community services sector in roles that involve direct client, participant, or patient support. METHODS This study is a mixed-method design situated within an Indigenous decolonising methodological framework which drives all phases of the research. Decolonisation centres on privileging the needs of Aboriginal people by analysing and dismantling the power imbalances that exist between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples in how research is undertaken to inform government policy, practice, and praxis. The surveys will be sent through the Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, non-government industry groups, Local Health Districts, community interagency committees, and non-government and for-profit agencies. The alumni of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Sydney and Centre’s agency networks will be key recruitment targets. In addition, members of the research team will aim to attend Aboriginal community events and major conferences to connect with Aboriginal workers and community organisations where COVID restrictions permit.In-depth interviews or yarns will be conducted with a subset of 20 Aboriginal workers and 20 employers of Aboriginal workers who have completed the survey and consented to be interviewed. These may occur by zoom or phone dependant on COVID restrictions. RESULTS An Aboriginal workforce is essential to the delivery of high quality, culturally safe health and social services and to address structural barriers to service access. Aboriginal people experience higher rates of disability and chronic health conditions that non-Aboriginal people which heightens the need for responsive supports and services. A key strength of this this study is that it applies an Indigenous Methodological framework throughout which ensures that the research is designed and implemented with Aboriginal organisations and researchers. The research team includes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and one disability service peak body. The survey and interview questions and model were developed in partnership with Aboriginal health, ageing, and disability, service workers rather than relying only on research publications on the workforce or government policies and HR strategies. CONCLUSIONS By identifying the factors that influence the retention of the Aboriginal workforce from yarn ups and surveys completed by Aboriginal workers and their employers, this study will provide a cohesive set of strategies for organisations to apply in improving their retention of Aboriginal workers. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Applying Collective Impact to Wicked Problems in Aboriginal Health

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Gwynne ◽  
Annette Cairnduff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Collective Impact ◽  
Community Control ◽  
Dental Disease

Aboriginal people fare worse than other Australians in every measure of health including in a ten-year gap in life expectancy, infant mortality, cardiovascular disease, dental disease, mental health, chronic disease and maternal health. Despite sustained, whole of government effort, progress to improve Aboriginal health has been very slow. The collective impact tool may offer a solution. This paper provides examples of the application of collective impact, to address the significant gap in Aboriginal health and as a tool to enable community control. Three case studies in Aboriginal health demonstrate the stages and phases of collective impact to facilitate positive change.

scholarly journals Can University/Community Collaboration Create Spaces for Aboriginal Reconciliation?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
Ginette Lafrenière ◽  
Papa Lamine Diallo ◽  
Donna Dubie ◽  
Lou Henry
Keyword(s):  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Community Collaboration ◽  
Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Community Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Seven Generations ◽  
Collaborative Efforts ◽  
University Community

In this article, the authors attempt to illustrate how two Aboriginal community-based projects were conceptualized and developed through the collaborative efforts of four individuals who believed in the merits of a project aimed at survivors and intergenerational survivors of the residential school system as well as Aboriginal people in trouble with the law. Drawing upon a small body of literature on university/community collaboration, the authors illustrate the importance of meaningful collaboration between universities and communities in order to enhance a mutually beneficial relationship conducive to community-engaged scholarship. Through an examination of the case study of the Healing of The Seven Generations Project and the Four Directions Aboriginal Restorative Justice Project, the authors hope to illustrate to fellow Aboriginal colleagues in Canada the merits, strengths and challenges of university/ community collaboration. Ultimately, what the authors hope to share through this article is an example of how university/community collaboration can create spaces whereby Aboriginal people have become agents of their own healing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document