Progress report

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Progress report, 30 November 2001

1. Introduction

This report covers progress of the development of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet from 1 June 2001 to 30 November 2001.

The HealthInfoNet addresses its mission of contributing to 'improving the health of Australia's Indigenous people by making relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible' by:

undertaking research, including knowledge translation - this includes primary data collection and analysis, and the synthesis of knowledge from a wide variety of information obtained from academic, professional, government and other sources;
disseminating relevant knowledge - this involves mainly our Internet site, supplemented by print publications;
facilitating information exchange - including a listserve (email network), an electronic noticeboard, details of courses and conferences, and an information service;
providing Internet and related training - to Indigenous health workers and others, to enable them to take advantage of the wide range of relevant information available on the Internet;
Internet site development - assisting Indigenous and other relevant agencies with Internet site development to make their information more accessible.

The HealthInfoNet is being recognised increasingly as a world leader in knowledge management in the health sector, particularly in the area of knowledge translation (see Attachment 1 for a brief summary of knowledge translation). This recognition is consistent with the statement that the HealthInfoNet is 'truly innovative .., even by international standards', made by the then Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, in launching our new Internet site in December 2000.

Our Internet site is the main means of disseminating the knowledge and information, much of which is generated by the HealthInfoNet's own research. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet also works directly with Indigenous people to improve their use of the Internet, and assists Indigenous and other relevant agencies in making their information accessible.

The Internet site is a dynamic, evolving resource which makes published, unpublished and specially-developed material about Indigenous health freely accessible to policy makers, service providers, researchers, students and the general community. By making this material accessible to people involved in the area of Indigenous health, it should greatly enhance their knowledge, skills, and performance. For students and the general community, the knowledge and information accessible via the site will improve their understanding of Indigenous health and related areas.

The following sections of this report have been re-structured to address more directly the various aspects included in the Deed of Agreement.

2. Addressing the objectives of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

a) Disseminating relevant information by providing a dynamic high quality Internet source of information about Indigenous health

Site development

The Health section continues to be upgraded and redeveloped. For example, all available information about Sexual health (STIs) has been restructured to maximise its usefulness to our variety of users. The new structure includes basic information about the condition; an up-to-date summary of STIs among Indigenous people¹; a list of key references; details of recent journal articles, publications and conference presentations; a list of theses; preventive and clinical guidelines; a downloadable bibliography of relevant sources; and links to relevant organisations and other Internet-based materials.

Other areas added to the Health section of the site include disability, cancer, hepatitis and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B). Work is progressing on updating the section on diabetes, and new sections are being developed on Indigenous ageing and aged care services, and volatile substance use.

The electronic journal of the HealthInfoNet has undergone major developments in the last six months with a name change to the Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin , Importantly, there has been a full transition to becoming a peer-reviewed journal, following a successful submission to the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST; formerly Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA)). The Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin has been added to the DEST register of peer reviewed journals.

The HealthBulletin is the most active section of the site. Details of Vol. 1 No.1 July 2001 - September 2001 and Vol. 1 No. 2 September 2001 - December 2001 are provided in the section entitled 'Facilitating information exchange between key stakeholders'.

The HealthInfoNet's 'Summary of Indigenous health status' was updated in June, September and November as new statistics became available.

The increasing use of our Internet site is measured in two ways: by our site statistics; and entries in our Guestbook - each of which are summarised below.

Quality assurance

It is vital that people have confidence in the quality of the HealthInfoNet 's information and material. The issue of quality is addressed in two main ways. First, the HealthInfoNet has internal quality control procedures that involve all materials to be added to the Internet site. A number of these procedures draw on the extensive training and experience in Indigenous health of the HealthInfoNet's Director. Second, the HealthInfoNet has established a network of HealthInfoNet Consultants, whose functions include peer-review of any substantial academic materials to be added to the site. Depending on the nature of the material to be added, the Consultants can also play a more direct role in the development of the material itself. To date, around 80 senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have been appointed as HealthInfoNet Consultants (see Consultants under About us from the HealthInfoNet Home page).

Guestbook

The HealthInfoNet received 73 guestbook entries from users of our site between the 1 June and 30 November 2001. Comments received from individuals from Australia, Norway and Canada have provided positive feedback. The occupational categories of individuals who have made guestbook entries, include (but are not limited to):

Indigenous liaison officers;
Staff from state departments of Indigenous health;
University lecturers
Students doing Indigenous health studies.

In a number of cases, the comments have included constructive suggestions regarding ways to enhance our site and the information contained therein. These suggestions have been carefully considered as part of our ongoing review process and have been addressed wherever possible. (See Attachment 2 for Guestbook comments.)

Site statistics

These statistics have been collected by 'Counted the Web in Numbers' (for further details about the HealthInfoNet statistics, see http://209.185.154.35/2/32593). The statistics provide details of 'unique visitors' and 'impressions'.

Unique visitors are counted only once for each visitor within 24 hours. They are based on 'cookies' in the visitor's browser. Example: If someone visits your site twice within 24 hours, this will count as one unique hit and two impressions.

Impressions are the total number of visits to the page the counter is on. There is no difference if someone visits the page three times or if three different people visit it once. Impressions in each case will be three.

Unique visitors

Total unique visitors: 40,276 since launch (4 December 2000).

We have approximately 105 unique visitors a day - not including reloads etc.

Impressions

Just under 90,000 impressions since launch.

We have approximately 250 impressions per day.

Search facility

The site also now has a powerful search engine, which makes accessing specific information from the 126-megabyte site far easier. Two search facilities are available - the entire site can be searched or the bibliography can be searched independently. The following search statistics were produced for the HealthInfoNet by www.atomz.com:

Searches conducted on a monthly basis in November 2001 678
Searches conducted on a monthly basis in December 2001 190

Details of the specific searches undertaken for the most recent complete month are shown in the following tables:

b) Improving access by key stakeholders to quality up to date information

The HealthInfoNet attempts to improve the access by key stakeholders to quality up-to-date information in a number of ways.

Direct contact meetings with organisations and individuals involved in Indigenous health

Associate Professor Dennis Gray, Indigenous Australian Research Program, Curtin University of Technology Perth WA
Associate Professor John Wakerman and staff, Centre for Remote Health, Alice Springs
Colin Xanthus and staff, Office of Aboriginal Health, Department of Health, Western Australia
Craig Ritchie (CEO) and staff, NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation), Canberra
Daniel McAullay and staff, Kulunga Research Network, TVW Telethon Institute of Child Health Research
David Moffatt and staff, Aboriginal Services Division, Department of Human Services, South Australia
David Scholz, Eric Turner and other staff, OATSIH, Alice Springs
Dr Bret Hart, Director, North Metropolitan Population Health Unit, Mirrabooka, WA
Dr Martin Van Der Weyden Editor, and staff Medical Journal of Australia, Sydney
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, Perth
Eduoard d'Espaignet, Damian Connolly, Patrick Maher and other staff, Territory Health Services, Darwin
Elizabeth Grant and staff, Department of Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia
Graeme Miniter and staff, Southern Aboriginal Corporation, Albany, WA
Janet Hiller and staff, Department of Public Health, Adelaide University
Janis Shaw and staff, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Darwin
Lance Riley and staff, OATSIH, Adelaide
Leonie Young and staff, OATSIH, Darwin
Meeting of National Indigenous Women's forum on cervical cancer, Sydney
Polly Sumner and staff, Nunkuwarrin Yunti, Adelaide
Professor Alan Bernstein, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada (presentation when Professor Bernstein was in Perth, June 2001)
Professor Kerin O'Dea and staff, Menzies School of Health Research Darwin
Professor Margaret Burgess and Dr Peter McIntyre, National Centre for Immunisation Surveillance and Research, University of Sydney
Professor Tony Barnes and staff, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Darwin
Staff, Community Development Employment Program, Walgett, NSW
Staff, Domestic Violence Project, Walgett, NSW
Staff, Aboriginal Medical Service, Walgett, NSW
Staff, Kalwun Aboriginal Medical Service, Burleigh Heads, Qld
Staff, Aboriginal Health Unit, Gold Coast, Qld
Staff, Health Promotion Queensland, Brisbane
Suzanne Leavsley, State Manager, Western Australia,The Aged Care Standards Agency
Steve Larkin, Deputy Principal Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra, ACT
Tamara Mackean and staff, Department of General Practice, Adelaide University
Various communities in South Australia (see Attachment 3 for a summary of meetings which were undertaken in parallel with a consultancy examining service guidelines for cervical cancer screening)

Visitors to the HealthInfoNet

Bev Paterson, Clearinghouse Coordinator, General Practice Computing Group (GPCG), Canberra, ACT
Dr Jenny Reath, Manager - Indigenous Health Projects, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Sydney, NSW
Frankie Needham, Cancer Foundation of WA, Perth, WA
Judith Finn, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA
Kylie Solanec, Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University, WA
Tony Lower, Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health, Geraldton, WA

Providing Internet and related technology training

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet works directly with Indigenous people to provide them with the skills to access Internet-based information. By promoting the site to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the HealthInfoNet endeavours to reduce the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Internet access. Internet and related training is provided to Indigenous health workers and other staff and students from Indigenous organisations to enable them to take advantage of the wide range of relevant information available on the HealthInfoNet site and the Internet more generally. This has included the provision of Internet introduction and training sessions to employees and students from a variety of Indigenous agencies and organisations, and the conduct of demonstrations and Internet Cafes / workshops at conferences, etc.

Presentations at conferences or seminars

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Conference, Canberra, ACT, September 2001
Edith Cowan University, 'Achievements 2001', Mt Lawley, WA, November 2001

Internet cafes/workshops

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Conference, Canberra, ACT, September 2001
Health Expo, Esplanade, Fremantle, WA, June 2001
Public Health Association Conference, Sydney, NSW, September 2001

Internet site development for Indigenous health related organisations

The HealthInfoNet's site development projects employ a fully participative process. Organisations are assisted with the development of the site and, if required, training in web authoring is provided to organisation employees. The site is hosted and maintained by the HealthInfoNet until such time as the organisation acquires sufficient expertise to manage the site independently. Substantial sites are undertaken on a cost-recovery basis. Sites that have been, or are being, developed in collaboration with organisations that address Indigenous health issues including:

Office of Aboriginal Health, Department of Health, WA
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, Perth, WA
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Queensland;
Central Australian and Barkly Aboriginal Health Workers Association;
Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association;
Nganampa Health Council;
Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit;
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales; and
Western Australian Aboriginal Disability Network.

Discussions are underway currently about the development of a number of further sites.

The HealthInfoNet also developed the initial site for the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO). NACCHO has now developed its own site. The HealthInfoNet assisted the Crippled Children's Association of South Australia in the development of a site (http://www.wired.org.au) to assist allied health professionals (particularly physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists) working in remote areas with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability.

c) Facilitating information exchange

Information exchange, between key stakeholders and others, is addressed in a number of ways:

Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin (ISSN 1445-7253)

The electronic journal of the HealthInfoNet has undergone major developments in the last six months. First, the name changed from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Bulletin to

The Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin, in keeping with new terminology throughout the Website.

Importantly there has also been a full transition to a peer-reviewed journal, following a successful submission to the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST; formerly Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA)). The Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin has been added to the DEST register of peer reviewed journals, which is of particular significance for potential academic contributors.

Articles published previously in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HealthBulletin were subject to a peer review process, but this process has now been formalised, as follows.

Acknowledgment: Submitted manuscripts are acknowledged, and all authors are asked to sign a copyright form.

Initial assessment: A general assessment of suitability for publication is made by the Editorial team. Manuscripts considered unsuitable for publication are returned to the author(s), usually within 2 weeks.

Peer review: Manuscripts considered suitable for publication are sent generally to two or three relevant experts (including HealthInfoNet Consultants). After reassessment by the Editorial team, they are returned to the author(s), either for revision or because they have been deemed unsuitable for publication, about 4 to 6 weeks after the date of submission.

Revision: A request for revision does not mean that the manuscript has been accepted for publication, but provide the author(s) with an opportunity to present the best possible article to the Editor for a decision about publication. Authors are generally given 2 to 4 weeks to return the revised manuscript. Two copies should be returned (one highlighted to indicate where changes have been made, and the other without highlighting), together with a letter outlining the responses to the reviewers' comments.
Acceptance/rejection:
The final decision about publication is made by the Editor.

Publication: Published articles which have satisfied this peer review process are clearly indicated as having done so.

Our peer review process involves a newly constituted Editorial Board comprising the following

Associate Professor Ian Anderson, Director Koori Health Research and Community Development Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne

Professor Tony Barnes, Director, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, Darwin

Dr Noel Hayman, Community Physician, Inala Community Health Centre, Brisbane

Professor Ernest Hunter, Professor of Public health, University of Queensland, Cairns

Professor Kerin O'Dea, Director, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin

Professor Ian Ring, Head, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland and Director, Health Information Centre, Queensland Health; Brisbane, Queensland

Associate Professor Cindy Shannon, Director, Indigenous Health Program, University of Queensland, Brisbane

Dr Paul Torzillo, Medical Director, Nganampa Health Council, South Australia and Consultant Physician, Sydney

Associate Professor John Wakerman, Director, Centre for Remote Health, Alice Springs

Dr Joan Winch, Director, Curtin Aboriginal Centre, Curtin University of Technology, Perth

As with other substantial sections of the HealthInfoNet, this will assure readers of the quality of items appearing in 'Original articles' and research-related 'Brief reports'.

The purpose of the Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin is to facilitate access to information of relevance to Australian Indigenous health. Reflecting the wide range of our users - policy makers, service providers, researchers, students and the general community - the HealthBulletin attempts to keep people informed of current events of relevance, as well as information about recent research.

Categories of information

In grouping the wide range of relevant information, we provide for the following categories (not all of which appear in each edition):

Original articles - full reports of significant research
Brief reports - brief research reports or summaries of innovative health promotion or disease prevention programs
Current topics - information about current events, such as major public events, new programs and relevant staff appointments
Journal articles - bibliographic information, abstracts of articles published recently in a wide variety of journals, and links to full-text articles available online
Reports and publications - bibliographic information, abstracts of major reports and other publications (including chapters in books), and links to full-text articles available online
Resources - information about health promotion and related resources
Conference abstracts and papers - information on recent conferences
Theses - bibliographic information and abstracts of theses, treatises, dissertations and other academic reports
Book reviews - reviews of books of relevance to Indigenous health

The content pages from the two Australian Indigenous HealthBulletins follow.

Vol. 1 No.1 July 2001 - September 2001: ISSN 1445-7253

Editorial

Original articles (peer reviewed)

Bambrick H. Prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes in a Queensland Aboriginal community (peer reviewed)

Brief reports

Current topics

The HealthInfoNet at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Conference2001
Obituary: Dr Puggy Hunter
Update on parliamentary Inquiry into the needs of urban dwelling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
NAIDOC awards to inspiring and talented health and wellness advocates
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet on display at the Perth Health Expo, 2001
The National Public Health Partnership's National Strategies Coordination Working Group

Journal articles

Reports and publications

A review of cancer among Aboriginal people in Western Australia
Expenditures on health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 1998-99
From the ground up. Summary NSW Aboriginal health regional plans
Needs for residential aged care & other services by the older indigenous population in the ACT & Region
'Tell the story'. Barriers to effective communication in mental health assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The development of culturally appropriate assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Consumers
The health and welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 2001
The health and welfare of Territorians
The Tiwi Health Board story
When research reports and academic journals are clearly not enough. Strengthening the links between Aboriginal health research and health outcomes
Why warriors lie down and die. Towards an understanding of why the Aboriginal people of Arnhem land face the greatest crisis in health and education since European contact
Working together to stop Aboriginal suicide and self-harm in Western Australia
Young Indigenous males, custody and the rites of passage

Resources

Breast self examination. Keep strong women - look after yourself healthy ways
Diabetes and heart disease: what you need to know
Keep sight of your eyes! Get your eyes checked
Protect our future: learn about AIDS
'Look after your kids: Use seat belts and child restraints'
SIDS guide for Indigenous families - video and brochure

Conference abstracts and papers

'Healing the pain': 2001 National Stolen Generations Conference
First National Tobacco Control Conference
6th National Rural Health Conference
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians Annual Scientific Meeting 2001: Diseases of Modern Living

Theses

Cramer JH (1998) Nursing practice in a remote area: an ethnographic study. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Nursing, Curtin University of Technology, Perth.

Davey C (1999) On being a young Aboriginal male in contemporary Australia. Report of public health project, 5th year medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth.

Hammill J (2000) Culture of chaos: Indigenous women and vulnerability in an Australian rural reserve. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Australian Centre for International Health and Nutrition, University of Queensland, Herston.

Vol.1 No.2 in progress October 2001 - December 2001

Editorial

Original articles (peer reviewed)

Brief reports

Gaining aged care accreditation standards: the Guwardi Ngadu experience

Current topics

Dr Arnold "Puggy" Hunter (1951 - 2001) recipient of 2001 Human Rights Medal
33rd Public Health Association of Australia Annual Conference
AHMAC establishes the Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (SCATSIH)
HealthInfoNet at Stockholm Challenge Award
Canadian authorities enthusiastic about HealthInfoNet 'knowledge translation' activities
HealthInfoNet to work with Canadian Aboriginal organisations on Internet-accessible resources
Membership of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board

Journal articles

Reports and publications

Australian health trends 2001
Better Health Care
Central Australian regional substance misuse strategic plan
Indigenous health & 'Western research'
Recommendations for clinical care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
Sport and recreation for Indigenous youth in the Northern Territory: scoping research priorities for health and social outcomes
Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations

Resources

Healthy jarjums make healthy food choices
Heart Health Manual
Nunkuwarrin Yunti working together for the benefit of Aboriginal health Solid kids have healthy teeth: 0-2 years/2-5 years
State and local information - caring for our people at home
Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey: information for teens

Conference abstracts and papers

Community Drug Summit 2001
Insurance Commission of Western Australia: 2001 Conference on Road Safety
The Power of Knowledge, the Resonance of Tradition - Indigenous Studies: Conference2001

Theses

Brady M (1999) Difference and indifference: Australian policy and practice in Indigenous substance abuse. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Australian National University, Canberra.

Sayers S (1999) Birth antecedents and outcomes for Aboriginal babies born at the Royal Darwin Hospital 1987-1990. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney

Listserver

Electronic mail (email) is used to easily transfer messages to multiple people interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Individuals choose to 'subscribe' to the listserver and are then able to send or receive messages posted to the list. The listserver is designed to encourage networking and information exchange on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The listserver now has around 330 subscribers, from government, educational institutions, and Aboriginal community-controlled health services.

In the second half of the year, members have circulated a number of messages on the listserver that provide information about relevant job vacancies, networks and resources. However, the majority of messages are from health professionals and tertiary students conducting research or implementing programs/projects. The messages invariably request information or advice pertaining to specific aspects of Indigenous health. Topics raised in the last 6 months include:

Domestic violence;
Bush medicine and Indigenous healers
Wellbeing, healing spirit, and traditional healing;
Anti petrol sniffing resources;
Aged Aboriginals the community;

Noticeboard

An electronic noticeboard has enabled organisations and individuals to display on a short-term basis: requests for information; scholarships; job vacancies; information about workshops/courses; and generally to distribute information. It is most commonly used to advertise job vacancies or work wanted, and to seek information on particular topics.

Information service

In the last six months we have received approximately 186 queries via phone, email or the Guestbook. Many of these queries request bibliographic information pertaining to specific areas of Indigenous health. Topics of particular interest in this period include:

major causes of mortality;
chronic suppurative otitis media;
cross-cultural awareness training;
Indigenous health promotion resources;
encouraging physical activity among school aged children; and
environmental health.

Indigenous News Service

The HealthInfoNet disseminates the Hot Issues clippings that are provided courtesy of the Indigenous and Public Health Media Unit, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. Nearly 100 HealthInfoNet users receive weekly this listing of Indigenous health issues that have been covered in the national media.

Links from external agencies

The HealthInfoNet is the primary link on Indigenous health from many external agencies including universities, government agencies, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Medical Services, research organisations, journals and Indigenous sites.

Repository

The HealthInfoNet has acquired a large number of materials including: conference proceedings, journal articles, published and unpublished reports, book chapters, and theses. The HealthInfoNet currently holds approximately 6,500 items. Acquisition of new materials is continuing.

3. International recognition and profile²

a) Stockholm Challenge Award 2001.

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet was announced in June as one of the 12 finalists in the 'Health and quality of life' category of the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award 2001.

The HealthInfoNet was represented by Sandy Angus, Bronwyn Gee and Neil Thomson at the Stockholm Challenge Award 2001 Final Events, held in Stockholm, Sweden on 23-26 October.

The Stockholm Challenge is an international award that highlights the benefits information and communication technology can bring to people and society, with an emphasis of bridging the 'digital divide'. The award is broken into seven categories covering major social justice issues.

President of the Stockholm City Council, Lord Mayor Axel Wennerholm, welcomed participants to several days of stimulating events. The first of the formal events was a World Café, a facilitated forum for open discussion between finalists from all the categories. The opportunity to discuss and debate IT issues with people from developing countries (such as Egypt, Uganda, Peru and India) as well as developed countries (like the United States, Canada and New Zealand) was particularly rewarding and memorable. The interaction and networking allowed sharing of knowledge and experiences between people from projects that varied immensely in resources, infrastructure and geographical location.

The Stockholm Challenge Best Practice Exhibition, held the following day, enabled finalists to promote their projects, their culture and their countries. HealthInfoNet staff benefited personally and professionally from being able to network with others across racial, cultural and geographical borders. In the words of Sandy Angus, Indigenous Project Officer with the HealthInfoNet:

'The experience of attending the Stockholm Challenge Awards provided me with new information to plan IT education and training projects for Indigenous people. It also encouraged me to open my own mind, and to explore creative ways of working in health information in the future. By meeting other finalists I have also made new relationships and developed networks of people that I hope will work towards improving the overall health and quality of life of Indigenous people worldwide. Often Indigenous people working in partnership with non-Indigenous people are not given the opportunity to attend events such as this, so I was appreciative of having an equal part. The experience was one of the most exciting events of my life and one that I shall never forget.'

Winners of each of the seven categories were announced at the prize-giving ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall. The international jury evaluated the projects against four specific criteria: innovation; user need; sustainability; and transferability. The 'Health and quality of life' category had joint winners: SUMA, a humanitarian supply management system from the USA that coordinates the distribution of emergency relief to victims of disasters; and TEENEX, a drug prevention and personal enrichment project for young people worldwide that was developed in the UK. The HealthInfoNet congratulates the winning projects from all categories. The prize-giving ceremony was followed with an evening of wonderful traditional Swedish entertainment and hospitality.

Staff from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet were proud to have participated in this international event and to have shared with the wider world the way the HealthInfoNet aims to improve Indigenous health. This small, innovative and creative project, fired mainly on enthusiasm and passion, is recognised as a world leader in the translation of research into knowledge and the use of technology to disseminate this knowledge.

Acknowledgment: The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is grateful to the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health for a special grant to enable Sandy Angus to participate, and to the Edith Cowan University's Faculty of Communications, Health and Science for supporting the participation of Bronwyn Gee and Neil Thomson.

b) Canadian authorities enthusiastic about HealthInfoNet 'knowledge translation' activities

Senior officials of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Health Canada expressed great interest in the work of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet in meetings with the HealthInfoNet Director, Neil Thomson, and Manager, Bronwyn Gee, in Ottawa, Canada on 9-10 October. These meetings need to be seen in the context of the establishment in April 2000 of the CIHR as a replacement for the Canadian Medical Research Council (the Canadian equivalent of Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council), and of the great emphasis placed by Canadian health authorities on the development of a comprehensive pan-Canadian Health Infostructure.

As part of its enabling legislation, the CIHR is required to excel in the support of health research and the translation of this research 'into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system' (emphasis added). This requirement for 'knowledge translation' - very uncommon among national research-funding bodies - requires processes to support the uptake of health research in a manner that improves health and health care 'through improved understandings, processes, services, products or systems'.

Neil and Bronwyn met with CIHR President, Dr Alan Bernstein, and Senior Policy Advisor, Elizabeth Dickson, who is responsible for the development of a conceptual framework for knowledge translation (to be considered at the November meeting of the CIHR Governing Council). Ms Dickson acknowledged that the HealthInfoNet is one of the few organisations anywhere in the world already actively undertaking knowledge translation. She and Dr Bernstein were most impressed with the way that the HealthInfoNet is making that knowledge accessible by the Internet to assist decision-making by policy-makers, health program managers and health service providers, and with the HealthInfoNet's work in conducting workshops and Internet cafes to improve the access of Australian Indigenous people to this knowledge.

In parallel with the work being undertaken by the CIHR in the development of a framework for knowledge translation, Health Canada's Office of Health and the Information Highway (OHIH) is coordinating the planning and implementation of the pan-Canadian Health Infostructure. An advisory committee set up to develop a blueprint and tactical plan for the Infostructure, which will be the information and communications foundation for the Canadian health system, recognised that many of the components exist already. The committee did, however, identify significant gaps in the areas of health information for the public and for health service providers, clinical decision support, telehealth, electronic health records, health surveillance, health selfcare/telecare, health data holdings, and data analysis and reporting.

Mr Jean-Claude Barre, Senior Policy Advisor with OHIH, reported that activities were underway to address many of these gaps, but that little had been done in the type of knowledge translation performed by the HealthInfoNet. Mr Barre was so impressed with the work of the HealthInfoNet that he indicated he would try to schedule a video conference presentation at a meeting of the advisory committee, whose work is supported by the Canadian Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health and the Conference of Ministers of Health (equivalent to the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council and Australian Health Ministers' Conference respectively).

Coming shortly after the HealthInfoNet's participation as a finalist in the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award for the innovative use of information technology, the meetings with the CIHR and the OHIH confirm the HealthInfoNet's position as a world leader in the vital area of knowledge translation.

Acknowledgments: The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is grateful to Edith Cowan University's Faculty of Communications, Health and Science for supporting the visit of Bronwyn Gee and Neil Thomson to Canada, and to Ginette Thomas, Executive Officer of the CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, for assisting in the coordination of meetings in Ottawa and Toronto.

c) HealthInfoNet to work with Canadian Aboriginal organisations on Internet-accessible resources

Following a series of meetings in Ottawa and Toronto on 8-11 October with people and organisations involved in Aboriginal health in Canada, the HealthInfoNet has been approached to assist in the development of a Canadian resource along the lines of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.

The meetings began in Ottawa on 8 October, when HealthInfoNet Director, Neil Thomson, and Manager, Bronwyn Gee, met with Richard Jock, Executive Director, and senior research and policy staff of the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).

NAHO was established in 1999-2000, largely in response to recommendations of the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples which recognised the need for an Aboriginal organisation to serve as a support network for Aboriginal health workers and communities, to share information, and act as an advocate of evidence-based decision-making in addressing the health needs of Canada's Aboriginal peoples. After detailed consultations with key Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals, the five major national organisations - the Assembly of First Nations, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, the Metis National Council and the Native Women's Association of Canada - agreed to the form and objectives of NAHO and now serve on its Board of Directors. NAHO's specific objectives are:

(1) improving and promoting through knowledge-based activities the health of Aboriginal peoples and Aboriginal communities
(2) promoting health issues pertaining to Aboriginal peoples by means including communications and public education activities.
(3) facilitating and promoting research and developing research partnerships relating to Aboriginal health issues
(4) fostering recruitment, retention, training and utilisation of Aboriginal people in the delivery of health care.
(5) affirming Aboriginal traditional healing practices through validating holistic traditional practices and medicines and ensuring such practices receive recognition.

TheHealthInfoNet's work had been recognised by NAHO in the development of a document entitled 'Establishing a leading knowledge-based organization', so the meeting on 8 October enabled NAHO staff to consider more closely how a similar resource could be established in Canada.

The value of such a resource was acknowledged also by the Dr Jeff Reading, Scientific Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (IAPH), and the IAPH Advisory Board (composed of representatives from the Aboriginal community, academia and governments) after a presentation to the Board in Toronto on 10 October. The IAHP, one of the thirteen 'virtual' Institutes of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), supports research addressing the special health needs of Canada's Aboriginal people. Dr Reading and the Board recognised the very important role that a Canadian Aboriginal HealthInfoNet could play in assisting their health research agenda (across disciplines, sectors, and regions), the emerging health needs of Canadian Aboriginal people, and the information needs of health policy decision-makers.

As well as the presentation to the Board and follow-up meetings with Dr Reading, Neil and Bronwyn were guests at the official launch of the IAHP in Toronto on 11 October.

Following these meetings and presentations in Ottawa and Toronto, HealthInfoNet staff have been working with NAHO staff in the initial planning for a Canadian version of the HealthInfoNet. It is anticipated that both the HealthInfoNet and NAHO will benefit from collaboration on this development, as some of the generic aspects will be able to be shared. NAHO is planning to have a Canadian Aboriginal HealthInfoNet fully operational within two years.

Acknowledgments: The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is grateful to Edith Cowan University's Faculty of Communications, Health and Science for supporting the visit of Bronwyn Gee and Neil Thomson to Canada, and to Ginette Thomas, Executive Officer of the CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, for assisting in the coordination of meetings in Ottawa and Toronto.

Endnotes

1. To maximise their usefulness for policy makers and health program managers, summaries like this will be updated, resources permitting, to comprehensive overviews, including policy implications.

2. The summaries of these achievements have been reproduced from the Current topics section of the Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin, Vol 1, No 2

Last updated: 1 December 2004

Australian Indigenous

HealthInfoNet