TY - JOUR
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Interviews as Topic
KW - Patient Acceptance of Health Care
KW - Qualitative Research
KW - Primary Health Care
KW - Oceanic Ancestry Group
KW - Professional-Patient Relations
KW - Queensland
KW - Rural Population
AU - Cass Alan
AU - Liu H
AU - Hackett M
AU - Ingram S
AU - Davy Carol
AU - Brady John
AU - DeVries Joanne
AU - Fewquandie Barry
AU - Mentha Ricky
AU - Simon Pamela
AU - Rickards Bernadette
AU - Togni Samantha
AU - Askew Deborah
AU - Kite Elaine
AU - Sivak Leda
AU - Lavoie Josée
AU - Brown Alex
AU - Peiris David
AB - <p>
<b>OBJECTIVE: </b>Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services.
</p>

<p>
<b>METHODS: </b>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff.
</p>

<p>
<b>RESULTS: </b>Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime.
</p>

<p>
<b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships.
</p>

<p>
<b>IMPLICATIONS: </b>First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
</p>

BT - Aust N Z J Public Health
DO - 10.1111/1753-6405.12553
IS - 6
J2 - Aust N Z J Public Health
LA - eng
N2 - <p>
<b>OBJECTIVE: </b>Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services.
</p>

<p>
<b>METHODS: </b>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff.
</p>

<p>
<b>RESULTS: </b>Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime.
</p>

<p>
<b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships.
</p>

<p>
<b>IMPLICATIONS: </b>First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
</p>

PY - 2016
SP - 535
EP - 541
T2 - Aust N Z J Public Health
TI - Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
VL - 40
SN - 1753-6405
ER -