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ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
Aboriginal health worker; general practice; primary care; cultural mentorship; partnership with non-Indigenous health workers
The work of Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) in the primary care setting is discussed, emphasising that partnership with non-Indigenous health providers such as nurses and general practitioners brings complementary skills together to improve the health care available to Aboriginal clients, and to decrease the cultural and communication barriers to delivering such health care. The diverse skills and responsibilities of AHWs, which include clinical, health promotion, education and leadership roles, are illustrated. The current focus on increasing AHW educational opportunities, and the need to recognise AHWs as core health professionals and equal members of the health care team is presented. The increasing recognition of the role of AHWs in providing cultural mentorship for non-Indigenous colleagues is discussed.
Received 22 November 2006 Accepted 31 May 2007
INTRODUCTION
Aboriginal health workers are an important part of the health care workforce and the primary health team. They often work in partnership with non-Indigenous nurses and general practitioners, a partnership which has its strongest benefit in promotion of effective communication and health care management with Aboriginal clients.
The work of Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) is strongly affected by the setting in which they work. This article is written from the point of view of AHWs and general medical practitioners (GPs) working in a large Aboriginal community-controlled medical service in Western Sydney, formerly named Daruk Aboriginal Medical Service, but now renamed as the Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney (AMS WS). The historical background, the varied educational and training pathways and the diverse work roles of AHWs will be examined. The need for increased numbers and improved recognition and training opportunities for AHWs will be discussed. Several case studies illustrating the daily work of different AHWs at our service are presented.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The beginnings of AHWs as a professional group in Australia goes back to the 1950's when Aboriginal people, usually women, were employed as leprosy workers and later as medical assistants in the Northern Territory. At that time their role is said to have mainly been cultural brokerage. This preceded the international recognition in the 197Os of the importance of using Indigenous workers to deliver effective primary health care within Indigenous communities...