The case for Aboriginal Health Workers in palliative care.
OBJECTIVE
The findings are drawn from a 2-year research project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which aimed to develop an innovative model for Indigenous palliative care. The findings presented in this article explore one important strategy for putting Aboriginal families and their communities at the centre of the model: that is, the employment of Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) in relation to the provision of palliative care in the Northern Territory.


METHODS
The data were collected from 72 qualitative interviews conducted throughout the regional, rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory with Indigenous patients and carers in the Northern Territory and the health professionals who care for them.


RESULTS
While highlighting the valuable role of AHWs, the findings emphasise that the current lack of availability of such workers for palliative care provision for Indigenous peoples needs serious consideration.
International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR), Central Queensland University, PO Box 1307 Kenmore, Brisbane, QLD 4069, Australia. pam_mcgrath@bigpond.com
Pam D
PD
McGrath
Mary Anne S
MA
Patton
Katherine F
KF
Ogilvie
Robert D
RD
Rayner
Zoë M
ZM
McGrath
Hamish A
HA
Holewa
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003153:Community Health Services; D004651:Employment; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D015876:Northern Territory; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010166:Palliative Care; D010560:Personnel Selection; D000078329:Workforce