Improving the engagement of Aboriginal families with maternal and child health services : a new model of care
- Austin, Catherine, Arabena, Kerry
- Authors: Austin, Catherine , Arabena, Kerry
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Public Health Research and Practice Vol. 31, no. 2 (2021), p.
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- Description: Objectives: Access in the early years to integrated community-based services that are flexible in their approach, holistic and culturally strong is a proven critical predictor of a child's successful transition to school and lifelong education and employment outcomes, providing long-term wellbeing. Studies show that participation in maternal and child health (MCH) services in Victoria, Australia, improve health outcomes for children and families, particularly for Aboriginal families. Poorer health outcomes and lower participation rates for these families in MCH services suggest there is a need for an urgent review of the current service model. The purpose of this paper is to outline the Early Assessment Referral Links (EARL) concept that was trialled in the Glenelg Shire in Victoria, Australia (2009-2014) to improve the engagement of Aboriginal families in MCH services. Methods: Development of EARL involved the core principles of appreciative inquiry to change existing patterns of conversation and give voice to new and diverse perspectives. A broad cross-section of the Aboriginal community and their early years health service providers were consulted and stakeholders recruited. Regular meetings between these stakeholders, in consultation with the Aboriginal community, were held to identify families that weren't engaged in MCH services and also to identify families who required further assessment, intervention, referral and/or support, ideally from the preconception or antenatal periods. Outcome measures used to evaluate the EARL concept include stakeholder meetings data, numbers of referrals, and participation rates of women and children in MCH services. Results: Participation of Aboriginal women and children in MCH services was consistently above the state average during the pilot period, and significant numbers of Aboriginal women and children were referred to EARL stakeholders and other health professionals via EARL referrals. Additionally, there were increases in Aboriginal children being breastfed, fully immunised and attending Early Start Kindergarten. Identification of Aboriginal women and children at risk of vulnerability also improved with a dramatic increase in referrals for family violence and child protection, and decreased episodes of out-of-home care (OoHC) for children. Conclusions: Evaluation of pilot outcomes indicate that the EARL concept improved women and children's access to and engagement with MCH services, and identified more families at risk of vulnerability than the traditional MCH service model, particularly for Aboriginal women and children. © 2020 Austin and Arabena.
- Authors: Austin, Catherine , Arabena, Kerry
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Public Health Research and Practice Vol. 31, no. 2 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Access in the early years to integrated community-based services that are flexible in their approach, holistic and culturally strong is a proven critical predictor of a child's successful transition to school and lifelong education and employment outcomes, providing long-term wellbeing. Studies show that participation in maternal and child health (MCH) services in Victoria, Australia, improve health outcomes for children and families, particularly for Aboriginal families. Poorer health outcomes and lower participation rates for these families in MCH services suggest there is a need for an urgent review of the current service model. The purpose of this paper is to outline the Early Assessment Referral Links (EARL) concept that was trialled in the Glenelg Shire in Victoria, Australia (2009-2014) to improve the engagement of Aboriginal families in MCH services. Methods: Development of EARL involved the core principles of appreciative inquiry to change existing patterns of conversation and give voice to new and diverse perspectives. A broad cross-section of the Aboriginal community and their early years health service providers were consulted and stakeholders recruited. Regular meetings between these stakeholders, in consultation with the Aboriginal community, were held to identify families that weren't engaged in MCH services and also to identify families who required further assessment, intervention, referral and/or support, ideally from the preconception or antenatal periods. Outcome measures used to evaluate the EARL concept include stakeholder meetings data, numbers of referrals, and participation rates of women and children in MCH services. Results: Participation of Aboriginal women and children in MCH services was consistently above the state average during the pilot period, and significant numbers of Aboriginal women and children were referred to EARL stakeholders and other health professionals via EARL referrals. Additionally, there were increases in Aboriginal children being breastfed, fully immunised and attending Early Start Kindergarten. Identification of Aboriginal women and children at risk of vulnerability also improved with a dramatic increase in referrals for family violence and child protection, and decreased episodes of out-of-home care (OoHC) for children. Conclusions: Evaluation of pilot outcomes indicate that the EARL concept improved women and children's access to and engagement with MCH services, and identified more families at risk of vulnerability than the traditional MCH service model, particularly for Aboriginal women and children. © 2020 Austin and Arabena.
Understanding experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients at the emergency departments in Australia
- Rahman, Muhammad Aziz, Huda, Md Nazmul, Somerville, Emma, Penny, Lauren, Dashwood, Ryan, Bloxsome, Sharon, Warrior, Keith, Pratt, Katie, Lankin, Margaret, Kenny, Kevin, Arabena, Kerry
- Authors: Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Huda, Md Nazmul , Somerville, Emma , Penny, Lauren , Dashwood, Ryan , Bloxsome, Sharon , Warrior, Keith , Pratt, Katie , Lankin, Margaret , Kenny, Kevin , Arabena, Kerry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia Vol. 35, no. 4 (2023), p. 595-599
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- Description: Objectives: The present study describes the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients and the factors that shaped their experiences of ED visits in regional settings. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients who used the ED services at three hospitals in New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia. We coded the collected data and analysed them using a thematic analysis technique. Results: A total of 33 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients participated. Analyses of their experiences revealed four themes, which included: (i) patients' waiting times in ED; (ii) cultural determinants of health; (iii) treatment services; and (iv) safety, security and privacy. Conclusions: A holistic approach and a robust hospital commitment to address cultural needs while considering overall health, social and emotional wellbeing, will enhance Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients' satisfaction for ED visits. © 2023 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
- Authors: Rahman, Muhammad Aziz , Huda, Md Nazmul , Somerville, Emma , Penny, Lauren , Dashwood, Ryan , Bloxsome, Sharon , Warrior, Keith , Pratt, Katie , Lankin, Margaret , Kenny, Kevin , Arabena, Kerry
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia Vol. 35, no. 4 (2023), p. 595-599
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: The present study describes the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients and the factors that shaped their experiences of ED visits in regional settings. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients who used the ED services at three hospitals in New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia. We coded the collected data and analysed them using a thematic analysis technique. Results: A total of 33 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients participated. Analyses of their experiences revealed four themes, which included: (i) patients' waiting times in ED; (ii) cultural determinants of health; (iii) treatment services; and (iv) safety, security and privacy. Conclusions: A holistic approach and a robust hospital commitment to address cultural needs while considering overall health, social and emotional wellbeing, will enhance Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients' satisfaction for ED visits. © 2023 The Authors. Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
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