Indigenous Health and the Australian General Practice Network

What are some of the key Indigenous health issues?

The gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian life expectancy, child mortality, and many other health outcomes are alarming. Preventable diseases are common and an epidemic of alcohol and other substance abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour afflicts too many Indigenous lives.

Reports indicate that Indigenous outcomes are generally worse in remote areas than urban areas. Compared to the non-Indigenous population, however, Indigenous outcomes across most indicators in urban areas are also poor.

How can general practice help in improving Indigenous health?

Improving Indigenous health outcomes involves general practice pursuing culturally sensitive prevention, early identification and best practice management strategies.

General Practitioners (GPs) are essential hubs in liaising with Indigenous Community Health Services to promote primary intervention, prevention, and diagnosis.

What support is there for general practice?

There are a number of AGPN and government initiatives that are either inclusive of, or specifically target, improvements in Indigenous health outcomes.

For example, incentives are available for general practice for the early diagnosis and effective management of people with diabetes, early detection of cervical cancer, improved health outcomes for people with asthma and better outcomes in mental health care. In some cases this includes more funding for longer consultations, medication reviews, Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers.

To access AGPN's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Resources: click here

How is AGPN helping the important work of state based organisations and general practice networks?

General Practice Network Activity in Indigenous Health: Survey Results

During April-May 2009 the first comprehensive survey focusing specifically on Indigenous health initiatives throughout the Network was undertaken. The majority of Network members participated in the survey, which highlighted substantial investment in promoting Indigenous health. A comprehensive report on outcomes of this survey can be accessed via the following link.

NACCHO Memorandum of Understanding

To assist Indigenous Australia and to progress our Memorandum of Understanding with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), AGPN is promoting a suite of Indigenous health activities for SBOs and general practice networks, including:

National Resource Kit
AGPN is developing a National Resource Kit for partner SBOs and general practice networks. The Indigenous NR-Kit has training resources, contacts details for regional Aboriginal Medical Services, and useful tips for medical professionals to best assist Indigenous clients. Watch this space for more information on that initiative.
Electronic Indigenous Health Listserv
AGPN operates an electronic listserv for GPs and Allied Health Professionals to discuss Indigenous health issues. If you wish to join the listserv please contact Traven Lea at he Australian General Practice Network or click here.
Indigenous Health Breakfast - AGPN Forum - Darwin 2008
At the 2008 AGPN Forum's Indigenous Health Breakfast on 31 October 2008 in Darwin was a great success. Our speakers described how SBOs are working with general practice networks to promote upgrades in Indigenous health outcomes, and how they can better engage Aboriginal Health Services. Be sure to check this site regularly for information on other upcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health events.
Expanding 'Can-Do' to target Indigenous substance use and mental health issues
With AGPN, the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation Ltd is expanding the Can-Do Initiative to target Indigenous substance use and mental health issues by providing training to doctors, pharmacists, mental health and drug and alcohol professionals.

Click here download a copy of the AGPN-NACCHO MoU.

How can the Network assist in managing Indigenous health?

General practice networks are well placed to support the implementation of these initiatives because of their experience in:

Supporting general practice in Indigenous health management through education and training with GPs, Practice Nurses, general practice staff and other providers in the community
Promoting, developing and maintaining partnerships/relationships between general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services, and other service providers and consumers
Keeping abreast of relevant state and national initiatives to enable the identification of future directions in primary care and potential opportunities for collaborative programs and resource sharing at national, state and local levels
Structured shared care programs, focussing on patient-focused care and Indigenous people as a practice population

How can information management help in Indigenous health outcomes?

Information management will play an important role in the successful implementation of Indigenous health initiatives through tools such as: age, sex, disease registers; recall and reminder systems; electronic health care plans together with other decision support tools which can assist general practice in the systematic approach to chronic disease management.

Information Management can also assist better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes in general practice through improving the availability and exchange of secure electronic clinical and patient data, such as: online pathology/radiology ordering and reporting; use of electronic referrals; and discharge summaries.

AGPN acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing