Health assessments for Indigenous Australians at Orange Aboriginal Medical Service: health problems identified and subsequent follow up
Tegan Dutton A , Wendy Stevens A C and Jamie Newman BA Bathurst Rural Clinical School, University of Western Sydney, PO Box 9008, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia.
B Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, Units 4 and 5, 9 Gateway Crescent, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: w.stevens@uws.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(3) 233-238 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14120
Submitted: 31 July 2014 Accepted: 18 December 2014 Published: 23 February 2015
Abstract
This study aimed to document the types, management and follow up of health issues identified by all Aboriginal Health Assessments (AHA) performed at Orange Aboriginal Medical Service from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012. This was done with a retrospective audit of clinical records. In total, 1169 AHAs were performed: 41% child, 53% adult and 6% older person AHAs. Newly identified health issues were documented in 85% (984). Being overweight (41%; 476) and smoking (26%; 301) were the common risk factors identified. As a result of the AHA, most children who were not up-to-date with their vaccinations received catch-up immunisations; 11% (36) of adult women (n = 314) received a Pap smear, although Pap smear status was unknown or not up-to-date for 61% (192); 27% (311) of cases were prescribed new medication; and 1239 referrals were made but only 40% were attended. At 6 months following the AHA, 26% (240) of cases with newly identified health issues were completely managed and followed up, whereas 25% (226) received no follow up. The AHAs are useful for identifying new health issues; however, follow up of the identified health issues should be improved. If AHAs are to improve health outcomes, appropriate management and follow up of the identified health issues are essential.
Additional keywords: Aboriginal Australians, diagnosis, risk factors.
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