Chronic Condition Management Strategies in Aboriginal Communities
Flinders University & Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (ACHSA)
The Lowitja Institute
This is the final report of a project called 'Chronic Condition Management Strategies in Aboriginal Communities' conducted during 2008-2011. The goal was to evaluate, and where possible develop and demonstrate effective and transferable chronic condition management strategies, and to generate research evidence about their processes, impact and health outcomes.
This project provides strong qualitative and quantitative evidence that people involved in structured chronic condition management strategies (eg care plans) improve their health and wellbeing over time. Clinical data from the health service records of 36 clients involved in chronic condition management, collected over 1-10 years, were analysed retrospectively.
Semi-structured interviews with 18 clients and 12 staff explored how they approached and managed chronic conditions, and their experiences and ideas about what works, what doesn't and why. Thematic and grounded theory analysis of the qualitative data identified benefits, barriers and enablers of chronic condition management strategies.
The report was created through a partnership of Flinders University and the Aboriginal Health Council, in collaboration with Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Council, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., and the Riverland Community Health Service.
