Knowledge, Language and Mortality: Communicating Health Information in Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Weeramanthri
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
Communicative Practice

Here the difficulties that non-Aboriginal health professionals experience in discussing health information with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory are considered. Communication of information is seen as critical to the process of primary health care but beset by problems of language, different ways of 'knowing' and different values. Specific examples of communication difficulties are given from a five year research project that focused on the social and medical issues behind a series of adult Aboriginal deaths. The purpose of providing information at a community level is two-fold: first, to demystify an issue, process or structure and second, to get people talking. It is useful in communicative practice to view health information as having two equally important components: statistics and stories. All statistics are built up from individual stories, and effective information programs incorporate the story approach. Suggestions are made as to how primary health care practitioners can improve their communication practices. Before practitioners ask 'What do people need?' or 'What are their problems and how can they be addressed?', they need to ask first 'What do people know?' and second 'What do people value?'

An analysis of the Primary Health Care Access Program in the Northern Territory: A major Aboriginal health policy reform

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive Rosewarne ◽  
John Boffa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Health Policy Reform ◽  
Funding Model ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Access Program

This paper describes the development of and lessons learned in implementing the Primary Health Care Access Program (PHCAP) in the Northern Territory. The implementation of the PHCAP is a major Aboriginal health policy reform. PHCAP provides an opportunity for Aboriginal people to gain access to properly resourced comprehensive primary health care (PHC) services. PHCAP is described in its unique funding model that attempts to address tensions within the federal governance system. In this paper we argue that access to PHC services is a key determinant of health and that funding of PHC services has been inadequate and inequitable throughout the Northern Territory. The implementation of PHCAP is reforming the existing health system and leading to the establishment of new PHC services. We analyse the barriers encountered in this process. The PHCAP funding model is analysed for its adequacy and design strength to address federal relations. We consider issues of workforce shortage that will limit our capacity to implement the program and the need for effective regional PHC support services. We conclude that the basic funding model within PHCAP - a grant payment plus access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - is the best possible way to fund comprehensive PHC at the present time, and call for bipartisan party commitment to fully realise the potential of this program to address Aboriginal health inequalities.

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 Public health information systems for primary health care in India: A situational analysis study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 3640 ◽  
Author(s):  
DharamjeetSingh Faujdar ◽  
Sundeep Sahay ◽  
Tarundeep Singh ◽  
Harashish Jindal ◽  
Rajesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Information Systems ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Analysis Study ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Public Health Information

The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory: engaging with the intervention to improve primary health care

2007 ◽  
Vol 187 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 617-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D Boffa ◽  
Andrew I Bell ◽  
Tanya E Davies ◽  
John Paterson ◽  
David E Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Primary Health

scholarly journals Community participation in health service reform: the development of an innovative remote Aboriginal primary health-care service

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Reeve ◽  
John Humphreys ◽  
John Wakerman ◽  
Vicki Carroll ◽  
Maureen Carter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Service ◽  
Disadvantaged Area ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Comprehensive Primary Health Care

The aim of this study was to describe the reorientation of a remote primary health-care service, in the Kimberley region of Australia, its impact on access to services and the factors instrumental in bringing about change. A unique community-initiated health service partnership was developed between a community-controlled Aboriginal health organisation, a government hospital and a population health unit, in order to overcome the challenges of delivering primary health care to a dispersed, highly disadvantaged Aboriginal population in a very remote area. The shared goals and clear delineation of responsibilities achieved through the partnership reoriented an essentially acute hospital-based service to a prevention-focussed comprehensive primary health-care service, with a focus on systematic screening for chronic disease, interdisciplinary follow up, health promotion, community advocacy and primary prevention. This formal partnership enabled the primary health-care service to meet the major challenges of providing a sustainable, prevention-focussed service in a very remote and socially disadvantaged area.

scholarly journals The effect of educational attainment levels on use of non-traditional health information resources: Findings from the Canadian survey of experiences with primary health care

2015 ◽  
pp. 677-687
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Secondary Education ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Information Sources ◽  
Canadian Survey

Canadian provincial governments have made significant investments in nurse advice telephone lines and Internet resources as non-traditional options to reduce emergency department visits and improve access to health care for the population. However, little is known about the characteristics of users of these services, and who chooses to use them first, before accessing other sources of health advice. Additionally, individuals with lower levels of education tend to be late adopters of technology and have inconsistent utilization of health services. The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of educational attainment levels on the use of non-traditional health information sources first, before other more conventional sources of health information. The study utilized Canadian Survey of Experiences with Primary Health Care (CSE-PHC), 2007-2008 survey data. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the relationship between use of non-traditional health information sources first, and educational attainment, adjusted for confounders. Relative to someone with less than secondary education, individuals with secondary education (OR = 4.30, 95% CI: 2.44 – 7.59), and individuals with post-secondary education (OR 4.91, 95% CI: 2.78 – 8.67), had significantly greater odds of using non-traditional health information sources first. These findings suggest that educational attainment has a significant effect on the use of non-traditional health information sources first. Future providers of non-traditional health information sources, especially in the design of future eHealth tools and consideration of eHealth literacy, should consider these results in development and implementation of their communications strategies to maximize the reach of their services.

scholarly journals Assessment of health service delivery parameters in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Usaini Bala ◽  
Olufemi Ajumobi ◽  
Amina Umar ◽  
Adefisoye Adewole ◽  
Ndadilnasiya Waziri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
District Health ◽  
Project Staff ◽  
Project Area ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
New Facilities

Abstract Background In 2013, the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health established a Master Health Facility List (MHFL) as recommended by WHO. Since then, some health facilities (HFs) have ceased functioning and new facilities were established. We updated the MHFL and assessed service delivery parameters in the Malaria Frontline Project implementing areas in Kano and Zamfara States. Methods We assessed all HFs in each of the 34 project local government areas (LGAs) between July and September 2017. Project staff administered a semi-structured questionnaire developed for this assessment to heads of HFs about the type of facility, category and number of staff working at the facility and to record geo-coordinates of facility. Results In the Kano State project area, 726 HFs were identified and geo-located: 31 were new facilities, 608 (84%), 116 (16%) and two (0.3%) were Primary Health Care (PHC), secondary and tertiary facilities respectively. Using the national definition, there were 710 (98%) functional facilities and 644 (91%) of these reported to the national health information platform, District Health Information System, version 2 (DHIS2). The Zamfara project area had 739 HFs: eight were new, 715 (97%), 22 (3.0%) and two (0.2%) PHCs, secondary and tertiary facilities respectively. There were 695 (94%) functional facilities with 656 (94%) of these reporting to DHIS2. Using national criteria for primary health care designation, only 95 (9%) of all PHCs in the two States met the minimum human resource requirements. Conclusion Most HFs were functional and reported to DHIS2. A comprehensive MHFL having all the important parameters that should be established and updated regularly by authorities to make it more useful for health services administration and management. Most functional facilities are understaffed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document