Enhancing interprofessional practice through the co-design of a holistic culturally and developmentally informed First Nations child health assessment
Natasha Reid
A * , Wei Liu B , Shirley Morrissey C , Marjad Page D , Theresa McDonald D , Erinn Hawkins B C , Andrew Wood E , Michelle Parker-Tomlin B D , Grace Myatt D , Heidi Webster B , Bridget Greathead D , Doug Shelton F , Sarah Horton D , Mary Katsikitis G and Dianne Shanley B C
A University of Queensland, Child Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
B Griffith University, Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.
C Griffith University, School of Applied Psychology, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.
D Gidgee Healing, Mount Isa, Qld, Australia.
E University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia.
F Gold Coast University Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Health Services, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.
G Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Australian Journal of Primary Health 29(1) 30-37 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY21293
Submitted: 20 December 2021 Accepted: 4 October 2022 Published: 14 November 2022
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Background: This qualitative study explored staff experiences of co-designing and implementing a novel interprofessional (IP) First Nations child health assessment (the helpful check), developed in partnership with a remote North-Queensland Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
Method: Eleven staff across two teams (family health and allied health) were involved in co-designing and implementing the child health assessment and associated IP practices. Interviews were undertaken using a semi-structured interview template and were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three overarching themes were developed: (1) connect teams by building strong relationships; (2) leave space for helpful check processes to evolve; and (3) integrate helpful check processes into routine practice to sustain change.
Conclusions: Results demonstrate how the incorporation of IP practices into a remote primary healthcare setting led to perceived benefits for both the health service staff and clients.
Keywords: Aboriginal, culturally appropriate, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, interprofessional practice, health assessment, neurodevelopmental conditions, primary health care, Torres Strait Islander.
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