Module 3: Cultural issues and barriers to health care


 

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this module participants will have:

  • Increased understanding of gaps in the provision of aboriginal health
  • Greater understanding of barriers to improving aboriginal health
  • Understanding better approaches for increasing accessibility for indigenous people to primary health care

                                   



  • Indigenous people account for approximately 4% of the population of  Central West New South Wales.  (ABS 2006)

  • There have been a number of cultural barriers which discourage indigenous people accessing primary health services.

  • Primary health care aims to prevent illness and detect disease early. 

  • There is recognition that access to primary health care has benefit for communities and individuals.
 
  • Additional medicare items were made available to general practice to promote and improve access to primary health care for indigenous people. 






Enhanced Primary Care Health Assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people


Item Description                                      Rebate       Claim frequency
704 Over 55 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at practice $175.10 annually
706 Over 55 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at home $247.60 annually
708 Child < 14year  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander $175.10 9 months
710 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 15 - 54 years $208.70 18 months


Improving primary health care access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people


To help understand how to improve access for indigenous people, please view the video lecture provided by Laurie Crawford.
 
Laurie has a long history as an academic and is currently the  Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) Eastern Cluster Aboriginal Health Coordinator.  Laurie provides a great deal of knowledge and insight into breaking down access barriers. 

CWDGP  thanks Laurie for being a part of the Nursing in General Practice Orientation and we are sure you will appreciate Laurie's straight forward and sensible guidance.





Additional Resource

The Department of Community Services has published Working with Aboriginal People and Communities which provides a valuable resource for nurses working in general practice

 

Reflection:

The placement of aboriginal art in practices may send a message of inclusiveness.


Quick Quiz:

Write a short response to each question in the provided answer sheet.
  1. What medicare items are available to general practice to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people?
  2. What strategy could your practice introduce to improve Indigenous access to primary health care?