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Bibliography

This section provides recent reference details and - where available - links and abstracts for general publications of interest to Indigenous Health Workers working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. References include journal articles, reports, theses, and other literature. To access our complete database please use our bibliography.

2013

Clifford A, Shakeshaft T, Deans C (2013)

Training and tailored outreach support to improve alcohol screening and brief intervention in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Drug and Alcohol Review; 32(1): 72–79

Dawson AP, Cargo M, Stewart H, Chong A, Daniel M (2013)

Identifying multi-level culturally appropriate smoking cessation strategies for Aboriginal health staff: a concept mapping approach.

Health Education Research; 28(1): 31-45

Haswell MR, Wheeler T, Wargent R, Brownlie A, Tulip F, Baird M, Gardiner L, Pulver LJ (2013)

Validation and enhancement of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychiatric hospitalisation statistics through an Indigenous Mental Health Worker register.

Rural and Remote Health; 12: 2002

Retrieved 4 February 2013 from http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=2002

Health Workforce Australia (2013)

Health workforce by numbers.

Adelaide: Health Workforce Australia

Northern Territory Department of Health (2013)

Remote Health Atlas.

Retrieved 2013 from http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Remote_Health_Atlas/

This website ('the Atlas') is a tool for Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health staff who work in remote areas. The Atlas is maintained by the Remote Health Branch of the NT Department of Health.

The Atlas contains protocols, standards, forms and information relevant to remote health work in the NT. Topics covered are:

  • community relationships
  • cultural considerations
  • medical records
  • recall
  • referrals
  • patient travel
  • quality assurance
  • health programs
  • emergencies, evacuations and retrievals
  • clinical protocols
  • births and deaths
  • pharmacy
  • stores and ordering
  • pathology
  • Medicare
  • information and communication technology
  • staff travel
  • vehicles
  • equipment and other assets
  • accommodation
  • visitors
  • occupational health and safety
  • infection control
  • employment matters
  • staff development.

In general, the website does not provide protocols for the management of clinical conditions. Protocols for the management of clinical conditions are covered by the CARPA standard treatment manual and the Women's business manual, both of which are endorsed by the NT Health Department. However, when clinical best practice changes, or where a new requirement for clinical guidance emerges, interim advice is contained in this Atlas.

Abstract adapted from NT Department of Health

Paul D (2013)

Creating change: building the capacity of the medical workforce in Aboriginal health.

ANZ Journal of Surgery; 83(1-2): 55–59

Roche AM, Duraisingam V, Trifonoff A, Tovell A (2013)

The health and well-being of Indigenous drug and alcohol workers: results from a national Australian survey.

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment; 44(1): 17–26

2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (2012)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice registration standards.

Canberra: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia

Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (2012)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework: 2012 report.

Canberra: Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Department of Health and Ageing

This is the fourth report under the auspice of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council to measure progress against the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework (HPF). The framework has become one of the key means of monitoring progress in Closing the gap between Indigenous and other Australians. It was reviewed and revised in 2011 and now includes 68 key measures (previously 71 measures) under the following tiers:

  • Tier 1-Health status and outcomes: measures the prevalence of health conditions including disease or injury, human function, life expectancy, wellbeing and deaths.
  • Tier 2-Determinants of health: measures of the determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, environmental factors and health behaviours.
  • Tier 3-Health system performance: measures of the health system, including effectiveness, responsiveness, accessibility, continuity, capability and sustainability.

The aim of the report is to promote accountability, inform policy and research, and generate informed debate. The report includes an overview of current national policies and strategies, and data analysis for each of the three tiers.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012)

Australia's health 2012.

Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Blinkhorn FA, Brown N, Freeman R, Humphris G, Martin A, Blinkhorn A (2012)

A phase II clinical trial of a dental health education program delivered by Aboriginal health workers to prevent early childhood caries.

BMC Public Health; 12: 681

Retrieved 21 August 2012 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-681

Dawson AP, Cargo M, Stewart H, Chong A, Daniel M (2012)

Aboriginal Health Workers experience multilevel barriers to quitting smoking: a qualitative study.

International Journal for Equity in Health; 11(27): 1-21

Demirkol A, Harrison M, Murray O, Wilson S (2012)

Tips for workers.

In: Lee K, Freeburn B, Ella S, Miller W, Perry J, Conigrave K, eds. Handbook for Aboriginal alcohol and drug work. Sydney: University of Sydney: 405-418

This chapter is from the Handbook for Aboriginal alcohol and drug work and provides useful tips for alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers including the benefit of:

  • keeping up your skills through training, university courses and networking
  • supervision and mentoring
  • using research to help you work with your clients
  • looking after yourself.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Hoad V, Hayward C (2012)

Student Aboriginal health worker smoking: findings from a training college in Western Australia [letters].

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health; 36(3): 296-297

Hudson S (2012)

Charlatan training: how Aboriginal health workers are being short-changed.

St Leonards, NSW: Centre for Independent Studies

In this report, the author discusses the issue of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (AHWs) in Australia being 'short changed'. The report states that AHWs have not been given enough training to adequately perform their roles; are undervalued, under paid, and overburdened with difficult health issues; and still do not have clearly defined roles and support.

The AHW workforce has been declining in recent years and the author suggests that to improve this, training for AHWs could be broken into three broad categories: clinical care or primary care, community care or community service, and cultural brokerage.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Jowsey T, Yen L, Ward N, McNab J, Aspin C, Usherwood T, SCIPPS Team (2012)

It hinges on the door: time, spaces and identity in Australian Aboriginal health services.

Health Sociology Review; 21(2): 196-207

McCullough KM, Lenthall S, Williams AM, Andrew L (2012)

Reducing the risk of violence towards remote area nurses: a violence management toolbox.

Australian Journal of Rural Health; 20(6): 329-333

McCullough KM, Williams AM, Lenthall S (2012)

Voices from the bush: remote area nurses prioritise hazards that contribute to violence in their workplace.

Rural and Remote Health; 12: 1972

Retrieved 7 May 2012 from http://www.rrh.org.au/publishedarticles/article_print_1972.pdf

Mentha RA, de Vries J, Simon PR, Fewquandie BN, Brady J, Ingram S (2012)

Bringing our voices into the research world: lessons from the Kanyini Vascular Collaboration.

Medical Journal of Australia; 197(1): 55-56

Murphy E, Best E (2012)

The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service: a decade of achievement in the health of women and babies in NSW.

New South Wales Public Health Bulletin; 23(4): 68-72

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (2012)

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation annual report 2011-2012.

Canberra: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Ong KS, Carter R, Kelaher M, Anderson I (2012)

Differences in primary health care delivery to Australia's Indigenous population: a template for use in economic evaluations.

BMC Health Services Research; 12: 307

Retrieved 7 September 2012 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-307

Passey ME, D'Este CA, Sanson-Fisher RW (2012)

Knowledge, attitudes and other factors associated with assessment of tobacco smoking among pregnant Aboriginal women by health care providers: a cross-sectional survey.

BMC Public Health; 12: 165

Retrieved 7 March 2012 from http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-12-165.pdf

Pham X, Page P, Sivamalai S, Woolley T (2012)

The benefits of a tailor-made pilot primary health-care course for Indigenous high school students in remote Queensland.

Australian Journal of Rural Health; 20(3): 113-118

Poroch N, Tongs J, Longford E, Keed S (2012)

Aboriginal health workers at Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service caring for the needs of Aboriginal people in the new ACT prison and the needs of their families.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 36(1): 6-8, 17

Simmons K, Rotumah V, Cookson M, Grigg D (2012)

Child hearing health coordinators tackle ear and hearing health in the NT.

The Chronicle; 23(1): 22-23

Swain L (2012)

Time to raise the pharmacy bar on Aboriginal health.

Australian Pharmacist; 31(6): 452

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2012)

The RACGP implementation guidelines for video consultations in general practice : a telehealth initiative.

South Melbourne: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

These guidelines assist general practices with conducting video consultations with patients and can be used by Aboriginal Health Workers conducting video consultations on behalf of a general practitioner (GP).

The guidelines provide an entry-level guide to conducting a video consultation, and cover technical, security, and usage issues such as:

  • what is telehealth?
  • security requirements
  • privacy requirements
  • internet connectivity (data speed, video quality, etc)
  • hardware and audio
  • practice environment and equipment
  • setting up software and equipment
  • room set-up
  • standards for general practices
  • medicolegal guidelines.

These guidelines were prepared by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The guidelines are updated regularly as technologies evolve.

Abstract adapted from Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

Thompson JE, Jones JN (2012)

Physicians and the Indigenous patient [letter].

Internal Medicine Journal; 42(6): 734-735

Wise M, Massi L, Rose M, Nancarrow H, Conigrave K, Bauman A, Hearn S (2012)

Developing and implementing a state-wide Aboriginal health promotion program: the process and factors influencing successful delivery.

Health Promotion Journal of Australia; 23(1): 25-29

2011

Australian Department of Health and Ageing (2011)

Guidelines for eye health teams for rural Australia – expansion of the medical specialist outreach assistance program.

Canberra: Australian Department of Health and Ageing

This document outlines key descriptors of the national Eye health teams for rural Australia expansion of the medical specialist outreach assistance program (Eye health expansion, MSOAP), for the period 2010-11 to 2013-14. The guidelines detail the following:

  • aims and objectives
  • funding allocated
  • eligibility criteria
  • services to be provided
  • supported health professionals and expenses
  • roles of the participating organisations
  • program operation
  • strategic plan
  • reporting requirements
  • related programs that may provide complimentary services.

The guidelines provide useful information for all participants of the Eye health expansion as well as organisations and individuals relevant to the implementation of the program, including: the Department of Health and Ageing - central and state/territory offices, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO), the Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS) Taskforce of the ASO, the National MSOAP Eye Health Committee, state/territory health agencies and networks, eye health professionals, Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal Medical Services; and Regional Eye Health Coordinators. The Eye health expansion guidelines also include details on where to go for additional information.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health performance framework 2010: detailed analyses.

Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Bryant RB (2011)

How can nursing and midwifery help close the gap in Indigenous health indicators?.

Contemporary Nurse; 37(1): 8-9

Butt J, Wilkes ET, Gray D (2011)

The preliminary validity and utility of assessing staff attitudes to working with cannabis related harms in Indigenous primary health care settings.

Drug and Alcohol Review; 30(s1): 16-19

Carson D, McConnel F (2011)

Indigenous health and community services employment in remote Northern Territory: a baseline examination of 2006 and 2001 census data.

Australian Journal of Rural Health; 19(5): 255-258

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (2011)

Yarning together! It’s about yarning with bub..

Perth, WA: Department of Health, Western Australia

This book talks about different ways parents and carers can interact with their babies (6 weeks to 4 months old) to support early communication development. Suggestions include yarning and playing, yarning about feelings and sharing books.

Community health nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers in Western Australia are encouraged to offer and discuss the Yarning together book with parents and carers of newborn babies and infants.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

El Sayed F, Soar J, Wang Z (2011)

Cultural matter in the development of an interactive multimedia self-paced educational health program for Aboriginal health workers.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 35(4): 7-13

El Sayed F, Soar J, Wang Z (2011)

Development of an interactive multimedia health informatics CD-ROM for Aboriginal health workers. Case study: tuberculosis (TB).

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 35(6): 17-26

Francis C, Gear C, Cameron-Smith L, Cleary M, Lee K, Shannon C, Canuto C, Ogwang T, Shannon B, Maher P, Leditschke A, McIntyre B, Treloar E (2011)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker project interim report.

Adelaide: Health Workforce Australia

Health Workforce Australia (2011)

Environmental scan: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker project.

Adelaide: Health Workforce Australia

This publication is a key output from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker project, a major workforce development project currently being undertaken by Health Workforce Australia (HWA).

The publication documents and synthesises the wide range of information and data (e.g. policies, practices and research studies) relevant to the development of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker workforce. The publication:

  • provides a national, cross-sector picture of what is already known
  • identifies gaps in the knowledge base for further investigation
  • informs the framework to guide the information collection phases of HWA's project.

The publication focuses on two broad areas:

  • high level considerations which influence the design of and demand for the Health Worker role including:
    • historical, cultural and policy context (Chapter 2)
    • health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Chapter 3)
    • the availability and accessibility of health services (Chapter 4)
  • Health Worker specific issues including:
    • definition, scope of practice and role (Chapter 5)
    • distribution and demographics of the Health Worker workforce (Chapter 6)
    • quality and safety mechanisms (Chapter 7)
    • career pathways (Chapter 8) education and training (Chapter 9)
    • recruitment and retention (Chapter 10).

The publication is not intended as an exhaustive literature review. Rather, it is a working resource for the Health Worker project which summarises the key themes arising from a range of sources identified through desktop research, key informant interviews and feedback from planning and reference groups.

Adapted from Health Workforce Australia

Hughes D (2011)

Give smokes the flick – a qualitative evaluation of two quit smoking resources for Aboriginal pregnant women.

Lismore, NSW: Clinical Education and Training Institute Rural Directorate

The Give smokes the flick, it really makes cents (GSTF) resource was developed for workers with pregnant Aboriginal clients.

This evaluation aimed to determine if workers and clients found this resource effective and culturally appropriate. It also aimed to determine the impact the resource had on smoking behaviours of pregnant Aboriginal women and their families and the Aboriginal workers connected to them.

The evaluation found that GSTF is an effective smoking cessation strategy for Aboriginal people. By clearly linking quitting tobacco use to financial savings, it appears to resonate within the context of disadvantage faced by many Aboriginal people and motivate smokers to reduce or quit smoking. GSTF was considered culturally appropriate, however the study identified major skills gaps amongst workers providing cessation services to Aboriginal clients.

Abstract adapted from Clinical Education and Training Institute Rural Directorate

McHugh A, Bradley R, Hornbuckle J (2011)

Women and children first.

O&G Magazine; 13(3): 28-31

McHugh AM, Hornbuckle J (2011)

Maternal and child health model of care in the Aboriginal community controlled health sector.

Perth, WA: Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (2011)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach workers national workshop report June 21-22nd 2011: final draft.

Canberra: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Stuart L, Nielsen A (2011)

Two Aboriginal registered nurses show us why black nurses caring for black patients is good medicine.

Contemporary Nurse; 37(1): 96-106

Thompson M (2011)

The best bang for our buck: recommendations for the provision of training for tobacco action workers and Indigenous health workers.

Contemporary Nurse; 37(1): 90-91

Trueman S, Mills J, Usher K (2011)

Racism in contemporary Australian nursing.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 35(5): 19-22

Walker D, Tennant M, Short SD (2011)

Listening to Indigenous health workers: helping to explain the disconnect between policy and practice in oral health role development in remote Australia.

Health Education Journal; 70(4): 400-406

Weston A (2011)

Development of an online yarning place for Indigenous health workers.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 35(2): 9-10

Williams D (2011)

A smoother pathway to birth.

O&G Magazine; 13(3): 26-27

2010

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (2010)

A proven model for the role of the Aboriginal Eye Health Coordinator.

Surry Hills, NSW: Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council

Burns J, Maling CM, Thomson N (2010)

Summary of Indigenous women's health.

Perth, WA: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Fredericks B, Adams K, Angus S (2010)

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Health Strategy.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 34(4): 32-34

Johnston V, Thomas DP (2010)

What works in Indigenous tobacco control? The perceptions of remote Indigenous community members and health staff.

Health Promotion Journal of Australia; 21(1): 45-50

Kruger E, Jacobs A, Tennant M (2010)

Sustaining oral health services in remote and Indigenous communities: a review of 10 years experience in Western Australia.

International Dental Journal; 60(2): 129-134

Larson A, Bradley R (2010)

Aboriginal maternal and child project: strengths and needs analysis.

Geraldton, WA: Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health and Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia

Meuleners LB, Lee AH, Hendrie D, Fraser M (2010)

A population study on Indigenous hospitalisations for interpersonal violence.

Australian Health Review; 34(1): 123-126

National Indigenous Health Equality Council (2010)

Health workforce target: analysis and recommendations part 1: Indigenous health workforce.

Canberra: National Indigenous Health Equality Council

Roche AM, Pidd K (2010)

Alcohol and other drugs workforce development issues and imperatives: setting the scene.

Adelaide: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction

South Australian Department of Health (2010)

Strategic health research program: projects 2007/2008.

Adelaide: South Australian Department of Health

2009

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2009)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health labour force statistics and data quality assessment.

Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This report provides comprehensive data on the Indigenous health labour force. The statistics presented in this report are drawn from censuses, surveys and administrative data sources. Information in the report includes data about: Indigenous medical practitioners; nurses; Aboriginal Health Workers; and Indigenous people studying in the health area. The quality of Indigenous labour force data is also discussed.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Boddington P, Räisänen U (2009)

Theoretical and practical issues in the definition of health: insights from Aboriginal Australia.

Journal of Medicine and Philosophy; 34(1): 49-67

Cadet-James Y (2009)

The many hats of an Indigenous researcher: reflecting on practice.

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal; 33(6): 21-23

Deeble J (2009)

Assessing the health service use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples [discussion paper].

Canberra: National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission

  • Links
  • No links available.

Gilligan C, Sanson-Fisher RW, D’Este C, Eades S, Wenitong M (2009)

Knowledge and attitudes regarding smoking during pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Medical Journal of Australia; 190(10): 557-561

Lix LM, Bruce S, Sarkar J, Young TK (2009)

Risk factors and chronic conditions among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations.

Health Reports; 20(4): 21-30

Ridoutt L, Pilbeam V, Lee K (2009)

Aboriginal health worker profession review: final report.

Darwin: Northern Territory Department of Health & Families

This report is an important review of the Aboriginal Health Worker (AHW) profession in the Northern Territory (NT). The review focuses on AHW workforce size and career structure, participation and progression.

The report was commissioned by the NT Department of Health and Families with agreement from the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, as a result of discussions about the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement that covers Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs).

The report makes a number of recommendations. These are about:

  • work role and organisation
  • workforce size
  • recruitment
  • training
  • professional development and ongoing support
  • professional representation
  • retention issues
  • role clarifications
  • the role of AHWs in acute care settings
  • induction and cultural awareness training for nursing staff
  • management practices.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Weston A (2009)

Developing a web resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

The Chronicle; 15(4): 32

2008

Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (2008)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Sector Accreditation and Quality Standards Project: review of the literature.

Melbourne: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

Coram S (2008)

'Mainstreaming' Indigenous inequality as disadvantage and the silencing of 'race' in Australian social, educational and vocational training policy.

Australian Critical Race and Whiteness Studies Association e-journal; 4(1)

Retrieved 2008 from http://www.acrawsa.org.au/ejournalFiles/Volume%204,%20Number%201,%202008/StellaCoram.pdf

Vision 2020 Australia (2008)

Submission to support national regulation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers in Australia.

Melbourne: Vision 2020 Australia

2007

Cheng MH (2007)

Aboriginal workers key to Indigenous health in Australia.

The Lancet; 370(9598): 1533-1536

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (2007)

Improving the capacity of workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to recognise and respond to mental illness and related alcohol and other drug issues: background report.

Sydney: Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council

The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CS&HISC) have developed training resources and support materials to improve the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to recognise and respond to mental illness and alcohol and other drug issues. This report describes the background to the project and its progress to date.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

West Australian Country Health Service (2007)

Engaging rural doctors: final report 2007.

Perth, WA: West Australian Country Health Service

 
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