Intellectual disability and Aboriginal Australians – training needs for psychiatrists

Abstract

Aboriginal Australians have relatively high rates of intellectual disability, a situation that is probably due mainly to poor health and social disadvantage. Populations with high rates of intellectual disability are more at risk of developmental disorders and mental ill health. We explore the training needs for psychiatrists working with indigenous people and how they can be met.

Intellectual disability and indigenous Australians: An overview

“…As the prevalence of ID is likely to be higher among indigenous Australians and there are conditions such as FASD which increase morbidity, it is important that all psychiatrists, other medical professional such as neurologists and general practitioners, and other professionals such as nurse practitioners who provide an outreach service develop the required skills to meet the needs of indigenous Australians with an ID. Some of the training needs for psychiatrists have been highlighted already (Roy and Balaratnasingam, ) and include taking into account cultural factors when carrying out mental state examinations and diagnosing ID. However, it may be even more important to improve the socioeconomic status of the indigenous people to empower them to address their health needs.…”