Improving Health Literacy Today….Not Tomorrow” It’s in the hands of our Aboriginal people Julie Wright – AHP – CAHS PHC Outreach Unit

Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce Important Priorities Engage Must Prioritise Engaging with our Aboriginal Health Workforce

WHY? FACTS/REALITIES Aboriginal language speakers average 70% of all health service users in NT Aboriginal health professionals are less than 1% of the NT health workforce High rates of staff turnover Inability to communicate effectively puts lives and practice at risk

strong working relationships Title ertion We must work towards good communication & strong working relationships Sub Heading Presenter Name Departmental Agency Insert date

Someone will help if you ask! Who are we? Aboriginal Community Workers Aboriginal Health Practitioners SWSBSC Strong Women Workers Aboriginal Male Health Community Workers Aboriginal Health Promotion Officers Someone will help if you ask!

Someone will help if you ask! Who are we? Also include: Key Community Members, community based lifestyle and stakeholder program workers Aboriginal workforce in clinics, schools, women's centres, council, shop, police and child care Also Interpreter Service Someone will help if you ask!

HELP us to help our people It is essential to teach and provide training to our Aboriginal Health Workforce and community Create safe supportive working environments & support Cultural Induction Build and strengthen relationships with the people/consumers and their families Develop resources and training to use essential tools when working with the people/consumers and their families

HELP us to help our people Create safe supportive working environments Empower our Aboriginal Health Workforce with the skills and knowledge to interpret health information for the consumer Language skills are always important to the consumer

Definitions ‘Health literacy is about communicating health information clearly and understanding it correctly’ (Osborne, 2014, p1) the ability to find, understand, and act on health information. an interaction between patients and the health care system verbal, print, and seek web-based information K.A Taylor Health Literacy Presentation NTML Darwin

Better Communication pillars PEOPLE ACTION OUTCOME/ RESULT Consumer Multi-disciplinary approach and Education and training is the key to Caring for the consumer Improving Quality Care through our workforce and Language Literacy Skills Engaging with Health Service Centres People need to understand what you’re saying if Lifestyle Behaviours are to be modified Poor Physical Activity Poor Nutrition Smoking Alcohol Social Emotional & Well Being Working together Provide clinical expertise Aboriginal people lead and support remote PHC Support people and communities self manage: preventable chronic conditions, Diabetes, Heart& Kidney Disease, Mental health. Also Environmental Health/living condition issues l Relationship Building For the Consumer Health teams Family Community Help Support Networks Communication and Referrals Meetings Discussions Workshops Training Better Communication pillars

Questions are good. However, when encouraging questions, remember the following: The nurse asks, “Do you have any questions?” The patient shakes his head, indicating no. While the nurse might assume this response means she did a good job communicating, the patient may, out of politeness, be shaking their head to end the consult as a way of not saying how confused he really is. (Osborne, 2014) Aboriginal workers can help get your message across and assess the level of understanding

Any Questions?

Osborne, H 2014 Health Literacy A to Z Resources that can be utilised by the Practitioner to help interpret or help the consumer http://internal.health.nt.gov.au/aboriginalhealthportal/resources/catalogue/Pages/default.aspx#DoH References Osborne, H 2014 Health Literacy A to Z Taylor, K 2010 intercultural health care communications DOH Intranet home Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander portal – Resources and Catalogue