title: The recording of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in general practice clinical records: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the frequency of recording of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in general practice (GP) clinical records and to establish associations of this recording.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of recording of patients' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in GP clinical records from GP training practices in four Australian states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 9,704 clinical records examined, the patients' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status had been documented in 5,165 (53.2%). Higher rates of recording were associated with older patient age, practices outside a major city, patients who were not new to the practice and the patient being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. In encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, the patient's status had been documented in 82% of records. Those attending larger practices were less likely to have had their status recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status recording in GP clinical records. Almost 20% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients did not have their status recorded in the clinical record, with indications that recording may be unsystematic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings reinforce the need for a systematic approach to identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status in general practice and will inform policy and practice in this important area.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: General Practice Training Valley to Coast, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales.|Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.affiliation: General Practice Training Valley to Coast, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tapley
authors.affiliation: General Practice Training Valley to Coast, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Driel
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Design IT and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oldmeadow
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Design IT and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: General Practice Training Valley to Coast, New South Wales.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria.|Victorian Metropolitan Alliance.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spike
authors.affiliation: Adelaide to Outback GP Training, South Australia.
authors.forename: Lawrie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, New South Wales.|General Practice Training Valley to Coast, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Parker
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magin
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Indigenous Australians; family practice; general practice; health records; personal