Australian Indigenous

This section of the Bulletin highlights recently released Indigenous specific resources. If you are aware of any new resources that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

• A 'Cultural mentor handbook' and 'Suggested guidelines for the development of Indigenous cultural mentors' added 15 September 2003
• Grief and trauma - leaflet series added 1 July 2003
• Health for all - drug, alcohol and STD pamphlet series added 1 July 2003
• Indigenous oral health flipcharts added 28 August 2003
• Looking after our people. Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) information kit for workers involved in Indigenous health added 4 August 2003
• The Quality Assurance for Aboriginal Medical Services program - education, training and quality assurance for point-of-care Haemoglobin A1c testing in Aboriginal medical services added 19 August 2003
  
  

A 'Cultural mentor handbook' and 'Suggested guidelines for the development of Indigenous cultural mentors'

The importance of cultural mentoring was highlighted in a national needs assessment of the support and training needs of GPs and GP registrars working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These resources were developed in response to the project findings. The project team, from the Centre for General Practice and Rural Medicine at James Cook University, Townsville, worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in North Queensland to set up a network of cultural mentors in the region.

The Cultural mentor handbook provides information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are acting as cultural mentors for GPs and medical students in North Queensland. The second resource, Suggested guidelines for the development of Indigenous cultural mentors, covers the role, selection process, qualifications, remuneration, training, and support requirements for cultural mentors.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information about the resources contact:
Mrs Val Alberts, Indigenous Student Support Officer, School of Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, ph: (07) 4781 5048, fax: (07) 4781 5870, email: Valerie.Alberts@jcu.edu.au; or
Dr Andrew McKenzie, Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Rural Medicine, School of edicine, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811 ph: (07) 4781 6861, fax: (07) 4781 5870, email: Andrew.McKenzie@jcu.edu.au; or
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners - National Rural Faculty, 15 Glover Street, North Adelaide SA 5006, ph: 1800 636 764, fax: (08) 8267 8359, email: rural@racgp.org.au

Images have been reproduced with the kind permission of Dr Andrew McKenzie, Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Rural Medicine, James Cook University

Health for all - drug, alcohol and STD pamphlet series

This series of 9 pamphlets has been designed specifically for an Indigenous audience, and addresses HIV prevention, sexual health, and illicit drug use issues. The pamphlets provide information on health issues, advice on how to keep healthy, and what to do in situations of ill-health. They are worded in a culturally appropriate way, are easy-to-understand and are decorated with Indigenous artwork.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the pamphlets or to obtain copies contact: The Kirketon Road Centre, PO Box 22, Kings Cross NSW 1340, ph: (02) 9360 2766, fax: (02) 9360 5154.

Images have been reproduced with the kind permission of Annie Malcolm and The Kirketon Road Centre.

Grief and trauma - leaflet series

This series of three leaflets, produced by ADAC, cover the main aspects of coping with grief and trauma from an Indigenous viewpoint. The leaflets are titled:

• What do we tell the kids? When someone dies
• Telling your story. Getting over grief
  
• Sorry business. Grief and loss

They give encouragement and provide counselling options for discussing and dealing with grief. They also describe the feelings associated with grief and trauma, and provide assurance that these feelings are normal.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The leaflets are available on the ADAC website. For more information about this resource contact: Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council, 53 King William Street, Kent Town SA 5067, ph: (08) 8362 0395, fax: (08) 8362 0327, email: adac@adac.org.au, web: http://www.adac.org.au/index.html

Indigenous oral health flipcharts

Queensland Health's Tropical Public Health Unit has developed two oral health flipcharts: 'Looking after young mouths'; and 'Building strong teeth'. The flipcharts use simple language and bold, brightly coloured pictures to illustrate the importance of oral health and hygiene for both infants and adults.

The flipcharts have been designed as an education tool for use by health workers and others working in Indigenous health. The purpose of the flipcharts is to: educate Indigenous communities about the importance of oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay; and to correct cleaning and brushing techniques. Since the flipcharts were developed they have undergone evaluation and an evaluation report has been released.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The flipcharts are available in A4 desktop and A3 sizes. For further information about the flipcharts, or to purchase copies view the summary information sheet (PDF - 493kb) (Word doc - 10kb) or contact: Tropical Population Health Network, 19 Aplin Street, Cairns QLD 4870, ph: (07) 4050 3600, Postal address: PO Box 1103, Cairns QLD 4870.

Images have been reproduced with the kind permission of the Tropical Public Health Unit, Queensland Health.

Looking after our people
Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) information kit for workers involved in Indigenous health

The Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) information kit has been developed by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for workers involved in Indigenous health. The primary purpose of the kit is to explain the use of EPC services contained in the Medicare Benefits Schedule, and help increase utilisation of current Medicare items (EPC health assessments, care plans and case conferences) by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The kit contains reports, pamphlets and brochures, that may be of use to medical practitioners, health care providers (including Aboriginal health workers), administrators and patients. The kit provides materials that may be of use to Indigenous health organisations implementing EPC services.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information contact: Martin Mullane, Director - Enhanced Primary Care Team, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, Primary Care Division, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, ph: (02) 6289 7184, fax: (02) 6289 4996, email: martin.mullane@health.gov.au

Or to obtain copies contact the publications centre: ph: (02) 6289 8615, email: epc.items@health.gov.au, website: http://www.health.gov.au/epc/

The Quality Assurance for Aboriginal Medical Services program - education, training and quality assurance for point-of-care Haemoglobin A1c testing in Aboriginal medical services

This brochure outlines the importance and benefits of the Quality Assurance for Aboriginal Medical Services (QAAMS) program, developed by Flinders Medical Centre. The program promotes the use of point-of-care technology to support diabetes management in Aboriginal medical services.

The brochure explains that Aboriginal community controlled health services are entitled to a Medicare rebate for each HbA1c test that is performed. This rebate has ensured that the QAAMS program is self-funding and self-sustaining. The brochure has a tear-off section for those interested in joining the program or learning more about it.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The brochure (PDF - 694KB) has been reproduced here with the kind permission of Mark Shephard, QAAMS Program Manager. For further information about the brochure or the program contact: Mark Shephard, QAAMS Program Manager, c/o RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Ltd, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA 5042, ph: (08) 82045070, fax: (08) 8204 6063, email: Mark.Shephard@flinders.edu.au

Last updated: 13 February, 2004