Better medication management for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders: a survey of providers.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences and training needs of service providers in relation to medication management for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Aboriginal and mainstream health and human service organisations in metropolitan, rural and remote South Australia.


METHODS
Aboriginal health workers, nurses, mental health workers, substance misuse workers, managers, liaison officers, social workers, police, pharmacists, general practitioners, community workers, counsellors, paramedics, educators, family support workers and others.


RESULTS
The major health service issues for Aboriginal people with mental health disorders and their carers are related to access to, and availability and appropriateness of services. Quality use of medications by Aboriginal clients is influenced by drug and alcohol misuse, cost, compliance, feelings about the value of medicines, sharing of medications and unwanted side-effects. Many workers providing services to Aboriginal people with mental health disorders lack adequate training and/or resources on mental health and safe medication management; yet, are required to provide advice or assistance on these matters.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey provides new, reliable evidence relevant to mental health services and medication management for South Australian Aboriginal people. It highlights the major issues impacting on quality of care and service provision, demonstrates the wide range of health and allied workers providing medication advice and assistance to Aboriginal people, and reveals workforce development needs.
Kowanko
Inge
I
Flinders Institute of Health and Medical Research, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. inge.kowanko@flinders.edu.au
de Crespigny
Charlotte
C
Murray
Helen
H
Groenkjaer
Mette
M
Emden
Carolyn
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D033262:Narration; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires