Improving healthcare for Aboriginal Australians through effective engagement between community and health services

Durey, Angela; McEvoy, Suzanne; Swift-Otero, Val; Taylor, Kate; Katzenellenbogen, Judith; Bessarab, Dawn

doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1497-0

Table 4 DAHAG and ASSU perspectives of the community engagement process

From: Improving healthcare for Aboriginal Australians through effective engagement between community and health services

Was the engagement process sufficiently broad and participative to capture a range of community views?	Mixed evidence	Strong evidence	Very strong evidence
Community engagement process was effective			X
DAHAGs as effective strategy to recruit broad representation of community members		X
Wide community representation	X
Did the engagement process meet Aboriginal participants’ expectations?
Aboriginal ownership and decision making, raising issues, advocating for change, supporting one another			X
Initial scepticism, apprehension about the initiative			X
Surprise that things were actually happening and that outcomes were emerging from the engagement process			X
Not tokenistic			X
Opportunity to break cycles and make change			X
Opportunity to meet with service providers and raise issues			X
Consultation has led to action, change and outcomes			X
Were those views effectively translated into actions by health services?
Direct interaction with service providers			X
Service providers engaging with and listening to Aboriginal people			X
Accountability, commitment to improvement			X
Service providers reporting back and making changes to practice			X
Overall changes seen in health services in the region			X
Increased sensitivity of service providers to Aboriginal culture		X
Increased flexibility in service delivery		X
Community views are fed back with commitment to change at higher levels in health services	X
Improved continuity of care, follow-up and referral of Aboriginal patients (Linkages created)		X
Flexibility and availability of service provider		X
Valuing and translating community input into services			X
Networking by service providers to raise awareness and build relationships to facilitate effective services		X
What changes (if any) in trust/confidence in health services have been experienced at a personal, family or community level?
Two-way capacity building (Aboriginal community and service providers)		X
Consultation has led to action			X
Providing a service that is welcoming and respectful		X
The community engagement process allayed concerns and built trust			X
Increase in health service use by Aboriginal people		X
More health services are available for Aboriginal people			X
Aboriginal people having a voice in their health care			X
Aboriginal specific services			X
Relationship building between Aboriginal people and service providers			X
Culturally appropriate services			X
Relaxed, safe and welcoming atmosphere			X
Continuity of care		X

Back to article page