University of Western Australia
A new health research project in the Kimberley aims to improve clinical responses to the experiences of adversity and trauma that many Aboriginal patients experience and the impact this has on their health care access and engagement.
Research Fellow Emma Carlin, from The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia and The University of Western Australia’s Medical School, is leading a partnership with the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research project, to develop and implement Wellbeing Informed Care approaches for Aboriginal Community Controlled primary health care in the Kimberley region.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is providing $955,000 to fund the project over three years. This funding is matched with significant in-kind contributions from the partner agencies.
Image: Front: Zac Cox (Manager Social and Emotional Wellbeing, KAMS); Erina Tanaka (Model of Care Coordinator, BRAMS). Back: Emma Carlin (Research Fellow, RCSWA/ Senior Research Officer KAMS); Steve Pratt (Research Fellow RCSWA); Kristen Orazi (Executive Manager Mental Health, KAMS)
The project will work with clinics and community to co-design and implement Wellbeing Informed Care in a place based and culturally secure way while reflecting on international and national trauma-informed care research.
At the end of the project, the partnership aims to have developed an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service specific approach to Wellbeing Informed Care alongside an accessible implementation guide that will be available for other interested services.
Ms Carlin said she was thrilled to receive the funding on behalf of the partnership team.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to us by the CRCNA, all partners are committed to optimising the way in which Aboriginal people are cared for through their clinical journey,” she said.
‘We are looking forward to celebrating the great work already happening and refining systems based on community and clinical knowledge and need.”
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services CEO Vicki O’Donnell said the project can deliver on a much-needed gap in Aboriginal health policy and practice.
“We see trauma informed care talked about a lot in health planning and policy however, how this looks for Aboriginal Community Controlled primary health care, and what this approach can achieve in this context is exciting,” she said.
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service CEO, Cassie Atchison, said the project reflected their emphasis on providing person-centred services.
"This important work aligns perfectly with our Model of Care and will enhance all aspects of the way we engage and care for the local community," she said.
CRCNA CEO Anne Stünzner said they were delighted to be working with UWA and group of partners to undertake this project in the Kimberley.
“We are keen to support the project to link in with stakeholders across northern Australia to reflect, share, and learn from each other in the emerging space of trauma and wellbeing informed care,” she said.