Christian Young1,2, Hasantha Gunasekera3, Kelvin Kong4,5, Alison Purcell6, Sumithra Muthayya7, Frank Vincent8, Darryl Wright9, Raylene Gordon10, Jennifer Bell11, Guy Gillor8, Julie Booker12, Peter Fernando7, Deanna Kalucy7, Simone Sherriff7,13, Allison Tong1,2, Carmen Parter14, Sandra Bailey15, Sally Redman7, Emily Banks7,16, Jonathan C Craig1,2. 1. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 2. Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales. 3. Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, John Hunter Hospital, New South Wales. 5. Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales. 6. Discipline of Speech Pathology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 7. The Sax Institute, New South Wales. 8. Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney, New South Wales. 9. Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, New South Wales. 10. Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative, New South Wales. 11. Riverina Medical and Dental Corporation, New South Wales. 12. Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service, New South Wales. 13. Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 14. Centre for Aboriginal Health, NSW Ministry of Health, New South Wales. 15. Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, New South Wales. 16. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate Hearing EAr health and Language Services (HEALS), a New South Wales (NSW) health initiative implemented in 2013 and 2014 as a model for enhanced clinical services arising from Aboriginal health research. METHODS: A case-study involving a mixed-methods evaluation of the origins and outcomes of HEALS, a collaboration among five NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, and local service providers. Service delivery data was collected fortnightly; semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and caregivers of children who participated in HEALS. RESULTS: To circumvent health service barriers, HEALS used relationships established through the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH) to form a specialist healthcare network. HEALS employed dedicated staff and provided a Memorandum of Understanding (detailing mutual goals and responsibilities) for each ACCHS. Despite very tight timeframes, HEALS provided services for 653 Aboriginal children, including 5,822 speech-language pathology sessions and 219 Ear, Nose and Throat procedures. Four themes reflecting the perceived impact of HEALS were identified: valued clinical outcomes, raising community awareness, developing relationships/networks and augmented service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: HEALS delivered rapid and effective specialist healthcare services through an existing research collaboration with five ACCHS, cooperation from local health service providers, and effective community engagement. Implications for Public Health: HEALS serves as a framework for targeted, enhanced healthcare that benefits Aboriginal communities by encapsulating the 'no research without service' philosophy.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate Hearing EAr health and Language Services (HEALS), a New South Wales (NSW) health initiative implemented in 2013 and 2014 as a model for enhanced clinical services arising from Aboriginal health research. METHODS: A case-study involving a mixed-methods evaluation of the origins and outcomes of HEALS, a collaboration among five NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, NSW Health, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, and local service providers. Service delivery data was collected fortnightly; semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and caregivers of children who participated in HEALS. RESULTS: To circumvent health service barriers, HEALS used relationships established through the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH) to form a specialist healthcare network. HEALS employed dedicated staff and provided a Memorandum of Understanding (detailing mutual goals and responsibilities) for each ACCHS. Despite very tight timeframes, HEALS provided services for 653 Aboriginal children, including 5,822 speech-language pathology sessions and 219 Ear, Nose and Throat procedures. Four themes reflecting the perceived impact of HEALS were identified: valued clinical outcomes, raising community awareness, developing relationships/networks and augmented service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: HEALS delivered rapid and effective specialist healthcare services through an existing research collaboration with five ACCHS, cooperation from local health service providers, and effective community engagement. Implications for Public Health: HEALS serves as a framework for targeted, enhanced healthcare that benefits Aboriginal communities by encapsulating the 'no research without service' philosophy.