Title: Applying the partnership approach to care to facilitate the optimal health and wellbeing of preschool aged aboriginal children
Abstract:
Background: The partnership approach to care has been adopted in Australia and internationally as an approach that promotes engagement and participation of families. In the WA Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Framework 2015-2030 partnership is one of the guiding principles to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. Australian Aboriginal people oftentimes face social and health disparities that persist from the prenatal period, through to adulthood.
Aim: The aim the research is to highlight the views of primary caregivers of Aboriginal pre-school aged children, Aboriginal community leaders, Aboriginal Health Workers, Community Health Nurses and Medical and Allied Health staff regarding the implementation of the partnership approach to care adopted by Community Health Nurses in the Goldfields of Western Australia.
Methodology: Research questions were developed in collaboration with an Aboriginal Reference Group. Data was collected through focus group yarning and one-on-one in-depth interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was applied.
Results: Four themes which influence the implementation of an authentic partnership approach emerged from the data. These were Understanding culture and Aboriginality; Health organisational structure; Professional practice; Communications.
Conclusions and Implications: This research informs the ongoing implementation and evaluation of the partnership approach with Aboriginal families in Australia. It informs researchers, service providers and policy makers locally, nationally and internationally. The partnership approach has the potential to improve health and wellbeing if it is implemented with appropriate cultural sensitivity, shared responsibility, dignity and respect.
