Working as an Aboriginal Health Worker in palliative care

• The Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers with up to date and relevant health information 
• Two Aboriginal Health Workers wrote about their role in an article for the Medical Journal of Australia called The Aboriginal Health Worker
• Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet has a section that provides information and resources for Indigenous Health Workers.

Information on courses

There are different ways to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care. Web-based learning modules, short courses and specialist palliative care courses are offered in many organisations and universities. Further information can be found in the Education pages of CareSearch.

The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, aged and community care professionals working in primary care or non-specialist palliative care settings to improve confidence and develop skills in working with people with palliative care needs. PEPA offers workplace placements of up to five days in specialist palliative care services and Reverse PEPA placements whereby a specialist palliative care staff member travels to your place of employment. PEPA also offers tailored workshops in the palliative approach, a Community Outreach Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Culture and diversity workshops. There are no fees for placements or the Community Outreach program. Participation meets continuing professional development requirements for AHPRA. The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

A Cancer Care Course is available in central and southern Queensland for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers.

Research

Many health professions may be interested in looking at palliative care research questions in their area of specialty. This may be work that is planned for the future. Any palliative care professional, regardless of discipline, is able to access the CareSearch Research Data Management System (RDMS).

Resources
 

• Rural Health Education Foundation – program on Aboriginal Health Workers and Chronic Disease management
• Indigenous Resources on CareSearch
• Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet
• A presentation held on the Palliative Care Australia website may be of interest: How do we improve access? Making the palliative care service more accessible for Indigenous People
• The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled health Organisation (VACCHO) has an Indigenous Palliative Care Project
• Do something real is a website that celebrates the real stories of real people who are working to deliver better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• Information regarding the Medicare items for individual allied health services for people with chronic conditions and complex care needs.
   

Palliative care links and information

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end-of-life for all. It has produced the following policy documents:

• Standards for providing quality palliative care for all Australians
• Palliative care service provision in Australia: a planning guide
• A guide to palliative care service development: A population based approach.

The Department of Health and Ageing website has a palliative care section.

Free Full Text Article

• Mitchell M, Hussey L. The Aboriginal Health Worker. Med J Aust. 2006 May 15;184(10):529-30.
• Crawford G, Price S. Team working: palliative care as a model of interdisciplinary practice. Med J Aust. 2003 Sep 15;179(6 Suppl):S32-4.
• Street A, Blackford J. Communication issues for the interdisciplinary community palliative care team. J Clin Nurs. 2001 Sep;10(5):643-50.

Related CareSearch pages

What is palliative care?
Clinical practice
Professional and Service Issues

Last updated 28 February 2012