Role of Torres Strait Islander Health Worker-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker. Answer: Introduction: Health care can be considered as one of the greatest necessities which each and every individual should have an equal right to; however in case of the socially disadvantaged groups, the health care quality and accessibility still lags behind that of the mainstream society. It has to be mentioned that there have been many approaches taken to improve the health outcomes of the health outcomes and care experience of the aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders and the integration of an interdisciplinary team into the care scenario of these socially disadvantaged groups can be considered most impactful. One of the community targeted initiatives can be the Feltman tool for the diabetes prevention in the aboriginal communities (Browne et al., 2013 pp 321). This assignment will attempt to explore the key concepts associated with the practice scope of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker, how it contributes to the care outcomes of the indigenous patient population and the col laboration between the different members of the interdisciplinary team can be enhanced. Discussion: According to the Browne et al. (2013), the nursing professionals have worked with the aboriginal and Torres Strait islander workers ever since the role has been introduced in the late 1900s, and effective cooperation between the aboriginal health workers and the non-aboriginal health workforce had been crucial for enhancing health outcome for aboriginals. However, ever since there have been many issues in establishing collaborative harmony among the nurses and the aboriginal health workers. In the early stages of this designation being introduced in the Australian health care sector, the nursing professionals provided the training to the indigenous health workers. However, the role of an indigenous health worker has now expanded exponentially, and has bifurcated as a valid independent health care role, by the intervention by the state and territory authorities in the training purposes. In the policy eras of self determination and self management provided the perfect setting where the role of an aboriginal health worker was established as a prominent and irreplaceable sector. A multitude of caring responsibilities have shifted from the nursing professional to an indigenous health worker in the interdisciplinary care term for aboriginals and Torres Strait islander. Along with that, despite there still being a little confusion regarding the role of an Aboriginal health worker, the designation and its importance is consolidated now more than ever by the virtue of the NATSIHWA professional practice framework. These health care professionals shoulder the responsibility or providing the most of the primary care activities for individuals, families and communities groups. Their work responsibilities in a general care setting include providing general primary care, mental health care, outreach services, patient education, cultural liaison, drug and alcohol addiction support, environmental support, community support, vascular health care, maternal and perinatal health care, nutritional advice, ophthalmological care advice, and lastly pharmacy health care (Natsihwa .org.au., 2018). It has to be understood that apart from the aforementioned care activities that care carried out by the aboriginal health workers the most important contribution by this health care profession is by the means of cultural safety. It has to be understood that for the aboriginals, there have been many social disadvantages that have affected the quality and accessibility of the care provided to the aboriginals. Ever since the colonization in the Australian territories, the impact of racism, discrimination, lack of education, low employment status, impact of traditions on the understanding of health and illness imparts a significant effect on the health and welfare of different individuals belonging to the aboriginal communities. The aboriginal health workers do not just provide care across life span to the aboriginals, their role is to act like a cultural broker guiding a protecting the health care rights of the aboriginals (Drummond, 2014 pp 168). It has to be understood that during the period of European colonization, the aboriginals were removed from their traditional lands. Now it has to be understood that in case of aboriginal communities, health is not just concerned with physical aspects of health; it is associated with spiritual, emotional and cultural wellbeing as well. Hence the impact of the socio-economic factors has made a huge difference on the health and wellbeing of the aboriginal. The fear of discrimination and loss of cultural safety, the aboriginals often refrain from seeking out health care until the point of unavoidable need. As a result the, the aboriginals reach the health care services with more severe conditions and result into higher mortality rates when compared to the mainstream society. There are particular health disparities among the aboriginals and non-aboriginals, and it is linked to systematic and local factors, which reflect on to the care experience aborigianls face (Daws et al., 2014 pp 553). This is where the roles played by the aboriginal health workers come into the picture, it has to be understood that in case of the aboriginal health and welfare, providing them cultural safety is extremely important. If the care provided to the different indigenous individuals is not adjusted with the cultural norms and ideas of their tradition and culture is not taken into consideration, the optimal health outcomes cannot be reached. For the nursing individuals providing health care to the aboriginals it is very different for them to understand the intricate cultural norms and their traditional understanding of health and incorporate it into the care practices planned and executed. The aboriginal health workers act as the much needed liaison or bridge between the nurses and the aboriginal patients. It has to be understood that the level of understanding and knowledge among these professionals is much higher than the regular nurses or physicians. Hence they can better understand the concerns and grievances of the aboriginals and can help them attain a better health care experience (Ahcsa.org.au., 2018). Another very crucial role played by the aboriginal health workers is the language assistance provided to the nursing individuals. It has to be mentioned that there are close to 100 aboriginal languages practiced in the aboriginal communities and Torres Strait island dwellers. The lack of English proficiency is one of the key contributing factors behind the social disadvantages faced by these people and even in case of the health care services, the lack effective communication often lead to misdiagnosis, medical errors and reduced patient satisfaction which in turn contributed to reduced health outcomes for the aboriginals. With the primary care intervention by the aboriginal health workers the burden of lack of effective communication is reduced drastically and better care delivery is ensured for the aboriginal care settings (Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au., 2018). Despite the strengths being brought forth by the aboriginal health workers in the interdisciplinary team there are a few limitations as well. It has to be understood that, the most of the aboriginal health workers are mostly recruited from the culturally diverse backgrounds so that they can have extensive understanding and knowledge about the aboriginal culture and traditional understanding of health and healing. Hence, they often have difficulties co-operating with the rest of the health care team belonging to the mainstream society. The discrimination and cultural difference accompanied by language barriers leads to a communication gap and disrupts the co-operative harmony of interdisciplinary team, and this unacceptable gap is facilitated by the myriad of health inequalities among the two societal groups (Wilson et al., 2015 pp 2739). An interdisciplinary team of health care providers are incomplete without aboriginal health workers. The diverse range of benefits provided by these health professionals cannot be ignored; along with reducing the work pressure of the nursing professionals in the aboriginal health care scenario, the aboriginal health workers provide assistance in effective communications and providing cultural safety and comfort to the aboriginals, an integral aspect of health and wellbeing when it comes to aboriginals. There is need for better communication and co-operation between the nurses and aboriginal health workers, so that a more targeted and culturally safe care can be provided to the aboriginals with the aid of aboriginal health workers (Daws et al., 2014 pp 555). It has to be understood in this context that alike different health care professionals, aboriginal health workers also have individual strengths and competences. Hence the work distribution must strategically utilize the strengths and skills of the aboriginal health workers based on their cultural safety training and competence (Downing, Kowal Paradies, 2011 pp 254). Conclusion: On a concluding note, it can be stated that one of the most important roles in the interdisciplinary care setting for the indigenous populations is the role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker. It is very important for them to health acre team to connect with the aboriginals and their spiritual and emotional connection with their cultural norms and the traditional concepts of health as well. The aboriginal health workers along with reducing the workload of the nurses help to build the bridge that can reach the aboriginals and understand their preferences and grievances, and in turn help to derive a care plan that addresses their care needs without violating their cultural safety. References: Aboriginal Health Worker Role - Aboriginal Health Council. (2018).Aboriginal Health Council. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://ahcsa.org.au/our-programs/aboriginal-health-worker-role/ Browne, J., DAmico, E., Thorpe, S., Mitchell, C. (2014). Feltman: evaluating the acceptability of a diabetes education tool for Aboriginal health workers.Australian journal of primary health,20(4), 319-322. Browne, J., Thorpe, S., Tunny, N., Adams, K., Palermo, C. (2013). A qualitative evaluation of a mentoring program for Aboriginal health workers and allied health professionals.Australian and New Zealand journal of public health,37(5), 457-462. Cultural Safety Framework - National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association (2018).Natsihwa.org.au. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://www.natsihwa.org.au/sites/default/files/natsihwa-cultural_safety-framework_summary.pdf Daws, K., Punch, A., Winters, M., Posenelli, S., Willis, J., MacIsaac, A., ... Worrall-Carter, L. (2014). Implementing a working together model for Aboriginal patients with acute coronary syndrome: an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer and a specialist cardiac nurse working together to improve hospital care.Australian Health Review,38(5), 552-556. Drummond, A. (2014). Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and health practitioners.Yatdjuligin, 163. Downing, R., Kowal, E., Paradies, Y. (2011). Indigenous cultural training for health workers in Australia.International Journal for Quality in Health Care,23(3), 247-257. Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Health facts Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (2018).Healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au. Retrieved 15 March 2018, from https://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/summary Wilson, A. (2012). Addressing uncomfortable issues: The role of White health professionals in Aboriginal health.Adelaide, Flinders University. 25-35. Wilson, A., Magarey, A., Jones, M., O'Donnell, K., Kelly, J. (2015). Attitudes and characteristics of health professionals working in Aboriginal health.Rural Remote Health,15(1), 2739.