Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Carol Davy; Alan Cass; John Brady; Joanne DeVries; Barry Fewquandie; Suzzane Ingram; Ricky Mentha; Pamela Simon; Bernadette Rickards; Samantha Togni; Hueming Liu; David Peiris; Deborah Askew; Elaine Kite; Leda Sivak; Maree Hackett; Josée Lavoie; Alex Brown

doi:10.1111/1753-6405.12553

Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Carol Davy, Alan Cass, John Brady, Joanne DeVries, Barry Fewquandie, Suzzane Ingram, Ricky Mentha, Pamela Simon, Bernadette Rickards, Samantha Togni, Hueming Liu, David Peiris, Deborah Askew, Elaine Kite, Leda Sivak, Maree Hackett, Josée Lavoie, Alex Brown

Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

204 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff.

Results: Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime.

Conclusions: Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships.

Implications: First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	535-541
Number of pages	7
Journal	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Volume	40
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12553
Publication status	Published - Dec 2016

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Davy, C., Cass, A., Brady, J., DeVries, J., Fewquandie, B., Ingram, S., Mentha, R., Simon, P., Rickards, B., Togni, S., Liu, H., Peiris, D., Askew, D., Kite, E., Sivak, L., Hackett, M., Lavoie, J., & Brown, A. (2016). Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 40(6), 535-541. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12553

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abstract = "Objective: Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff. Results: Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime. Conclusions: Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships. Implications: First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.",

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Davy, C, Cass, A, Brady, J, DeVries, J, Fewquandie, B, Ingram, S, Mentha, R, Simon, P, Rickards, B, Togni, S, Liu, H, Peiris, D, Askew, D, Kite, E, Sivak, L, Hackett, M, Lavoie, J & Brown, A 2016, 'Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 535-541. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12553

TY - JOUR

T1 - Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

AU - Davy, Carol

AU - Cass, Alan

AU - Brady, John

AU - DeVries, Joanne

AU - Fewquandie, Barry

AU - Ingram, Suzzane

AU - Mentha, Ricky

AU - Simon, Pamela

AU - Rickards, Bernadette

AU - Togni, Samantha

AU - Liu, Hueming

AU - Peiris, David

AU - Askew, Deborah

AU - Kite, Elaine

AU - Sivak, Leda

AU - Hackett, Maree

AU - Lavoie, Josée

AU - Brown, Alex

PY - 2016/12

Y1 - 2016/12

N2 - Objective: Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff. Results: Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime. Conclusions: Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships. Implications: First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

AB - Objective: Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff. Results: Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime. Conclusions: Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships. Implications: First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

KW - chronic disease

KW - Indigenous health

KW - primary health care

KW - service delivery

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JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

IS - 6

ER -

Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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