Practitioner perceptions of the health of Australian First Nations' Peoples: Preliminary findings

Abstract

Objective To probe health practitioner perceptions of Australian First Nations' Peoples' health and to compare these with reported burden of disease, social determinants and culturally safe health systems data. Design An online survey tool was used to collect self‐reported responses from health practitioners to answer literature‐derived questions regarding underlying issues in Australian First Nations' Peoples' health. Setting Responses to the survey were sought from rural and urban health service locations across all Australian states and territories. Participants Allied health, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, social work and related discipline students and practitioners currently working or studying in Australia. Main outcome measure(s) Degrees of correspondence between health discipline student and practitioner perceptions on ‘major health issues’ and ‘health systems issues’ and published population health and health systems data. Metrics for ‘connectedness to’ and ‘preparedness to engage with’ Australian First Nations' Peoples were also reported. Results Significant differences between practitioner perceptions of ‘major health issues’ and the disease burden/social determinants published evidence, and with the ‘culturally safe health systems’ published evidence, were noted. Positive impacts of social and professional relationships (connectedness) between practitioners and First Nations' Peoples were demonstrated. Conclusions The inclusion of basic population health and culturally safe health systems training in curricula for all genres of health practitioners appears to be indicated by these findings. Further, a meaningful role for the intentional nurture of social and professional relationships with Australian First Nations' Peoples across all health disciplines is suggested as part of efforts to address health systems and equity issues.

The facilitators and barriers to exercise in the Noongar Aboriginal population in Perth, Australia

“…In addition, recent research into health system cultural awareness has found that the perceptions of health professionals on the key issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health were significantly misaligned with the documented burden of preventable disease in these communities. The study found a need to place greater emphasis on the expansion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and on the inclusion of pre- and in-service training of all health professionals in culturally safe health systems and practice and in Indigenous health and burden of disease subject areas ( Crouch et al , 2020 ). In the current study context, these findings together suggest that exercise physiologist/physical fitness industry workforce perceptions may impact exercise participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.…”

Physical Activity and Self-Reported Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in the Aboriginal Population in Perth, Australia, Measured Using an Adaptation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)

“…This has been attributed to the influence of negative historical and social experiences since the time of colonisation [ 7 ]. There is an extensive literature- and evidence-base on factors and conditions contributing to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including national burden-of-disease [ 8 ] and health determinants data [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Analyses of these data highlight opportunities for strengthening the duration and quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by addressing the causes of avertible morbidity and premature mortality [ 12 ].…”