Culturally competent communication in Indigenous disability assessment: a qualitative study.
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Date
2021-03-06
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Affiliation(s)
(Ferdinand, Temple, Meiselbach, Kelaher) Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3011, Australia
(Massey) MJD Foundation, Nightcliff, NT 0814, Australia
(Massey) James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
(Cullen) Synapse, Level 1/262 Montague Road, West End, QLD 4101, Australia
(Paradies) Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
(Baynam) Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies and Genetic Services of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, 374 Bagot Rd, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia
(Baynam) Telethon Kids Institute and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Monash Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
(Savarirayan) Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
(Savarirayan) University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
(Massey) MJD Foundation, Nightcliff, NT 0814, Australia
(Massey) James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
(Cullen) Synapse, Level 1/262 Montague Road, West End, QLD 4101, Australia
(Paradies) Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
(Baynam) Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies and Genetic Services of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, 374 Bagot Rd, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia
(Baynam) Telethon Kids Institute and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Monash Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
(Savarirayan) Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
(Savarirayan) University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Year
2021
Citation
International Journal for Equity in Health. Vol.20(1), 2021.
Journal
International Journal for Equity in Health
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Grant information
Organisation: Lowitja Institute Organisation No: 501100004148 Country: Australia
This study was funded by the Lowitja Institute.
This study was funded by the Lowitja Institute.
Abstract
Background: Indigenous people tend to exhibit a higher burden of disability than their non-Indigenous counterparts, and are often underserved by disability services. Engaging appropriately with Indigenous communities, families and individuals in the initial stages of disability assessment and planning is crucial in order to build trust and understanding of disability service models and ensure that Indigenous people receive support that is tailored to their needs and cultural realities. This article aims to identify key elements of culturally competent communication in Indigenous disability assessment and planning, and provide recommendations for strengthening capacity in this area. Method(s): This qualitative research was designed to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at all stages and to reflect the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, people and families affected by disability and the community-controlled health sector. Semi-structured individual interviews were undertaken with staff implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (n = 4), NDIS participants (n = 24), disability support providers and organisational partners (n = 19) and Community Connectors (n = 8) in Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia. Key themes derived from thematic analysis included appropriate and adequate engagement of individuals with disability and their families, the role of trusted relationships, and culturally safe and appropriate communication during planning meetings. Result(s): Overall, the research findings highlight that a low level of cultural competence in the initial stages of the disability assessment and planning process exacerbated participant confusion and distrust towards assessment staff and the NDIS. Given difficulties in communication, participant understanding of the NDIS was generally limited. The necessity of culturally safe and appropriate use of interpreters was stressed, as was the role of trusted individuals, including existing service providers, Community Connectors and family members in providing a solid base for participant understanding of the NDIS. Conclusion(s): Cultural competence in disability assessment and planning can be strengthened through multi-level engagement with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and community leaders. Implementing mechanisms to enable the involvement of families, trusted service providers and Community Connectors can support a more meaningful understanding of individuals' needs within their cultural context and in relation to their cultural roles.Copyright © 2021, The Author(s).
PubMed ID
33648504 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=33648504]
Type
Article
Study type
Qualitative study
Subjects
Disability