Primary Health Care Research in the Remote, Aboriginal Context of the Northern Territory

Unit Code

01031

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Centre for Remote Health
PO Box 4066
Alice Springs
NT 0871 Australia

web: http://crh.flinders.edu.au

Unit Points

Research Points: 75

Coursework Points: 25

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Pim Kuipers
Centre for Remote Health
PO Box 4066
Alice Springs
NT 0871 Australia

tel: +61 8 8951 4700
fax: +61 8 8951 4777
email: pim.kuipers@flinders.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

• develop an understanding of the key historical, social, political, economic, environmental and cultural factors that contribute to and impact on health outcomes in Indigenous communities
• analyse issues pertinent to cultural safety of health service delivery to Indigenous communities
• complete a Primary Health Care research project in the Indigenous Context in Central Australia as part of a research team
• critically analyse literature and data
• develop an understanding of research ethics issues as they apply to this environment
• implement appropriate findings dissemination startegies
• develop appropriate written and oral presentation skills.

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Content

Coursework:

Remote and Indigenous Health is an elective topic for final year students in the Health Promotion Stream of the Bachelor of Health Science. The topic has a strong emphasis on Indigenous health and well-being, and how the present health status of Indigenous Australians is associated with history resulting in trans-generation issues. Cultural Safety is emphasised as a fundamental way of addressing these inequalities and decolonisation is presented as a way forward to address matters of social justice. Concepts of culture and racism within Australian society are explored and students are encouraged to reflect on their own values, beliefs and understanding of the remote environment.

Research: The Centre for Remote Health is a joint centre of Flinders University and Northern Territory University. It is one of a network of University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs). The catchment area is the entire NT and cross-border regions, with its main presence in Alice Springs. The mission of the Centre is to provide appropriate tertiary education, training and research, focusing on the discipline of Remote Health, to meet the health needs of remote communities in the NT and adjacent areas.

The Centre particularly addresses Indigenous health issues and the educational needs of Indigenous health professionals.

Current priority areas of research are:
1. health services research
2. remote area education research
3. research into flexible delivery of education in remote areas
4. clinical research - defining best practice in remote areas
5. increasing General Practitioners' research capacity within a multidisciplinary environment

Research Topic:

1. Supporting best practice medical treatment in remote communities” The CARPA Standard Treatment Manual - http://www.carpa.org.au/fmanual.htm - is the primary resource for much clinical practice in remote areas. Based on the Manual's best practice guidelines for identified conditions, the project will ‘benchmark' the resources required (skills, procedural requirements, human resources (medical, nursing, health worker, allied health) and financial resources) for effective implementation of the Manual for those identified conditions. This multi-methods project will involve some travel to health services in remote indigenous communities in Central Australia & an opportunity for collaboration with remote practitioners and Aboriginal Health Workers.

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 75 points
Research Report (up to 7500 words): 75%
Oral presentation: 15%
Supervisor's Evaluation: 10%

Coursework Component: 25 points
The assessment for this topic consists of attendance at an intensive block in Alice Springs and three assignments:

Assignment 1—Group presentation at intensive workshop.

As part of a small interdisciplinary group students are required to give a 10 minute presentation using a method of their choice – a story, PowerPoint presentation, poster – on day 6 of the intensive workshop. The topic is selected from the following options:

Weighting: 30%

Length: Equivalent to 1500 words

Assignment 2 — Racism.

Students are required to find a newspaper or other article that demonstrates stereotyping and racism. Then using the HREOC guidelines on racist behaviour and other readings, they are required to define what type of racism is portrayed and identify and discuss the factors that make the article racist.

Weighting: 30%

Length: 1500 words

Assignment 3 — Current Remote and Indigenous Issues

Students are asked to chose a current issue relating to Remote and/or Indigenous Health within Australia . They are then required to research the issue, analysing popular media reports and more scientific journals such as the Journal of Rural and Remote Health .

Weighting: 40%

Length: Equivalent to 2500 words

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
2