title: Improving cultural respect to improve Aboriginal health in general practice: a multi-methods and multi-perspective pragmatic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To address the gap in access to healthcare between Aboriginal people and other Australians, we developed Ways of Thinking, Ways of Doing (WoTWoD) to embed cultural respect into routine clinical practice. WoTWoD includes a workshop, toolkit and cultural mentors in a partnership of general practice and Aboriginal organisations. The aim of this study was to examine the im-pact of WoTWoD on cultural respect, health checks and risk factor management for Aboriginal patients in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-methods and multi-perspective pre- and-post-intervention pragmatic study with 10 general practices was undertaken, using information from medical records, practice staff, cultural mentors and patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultural respect, service and clinical measures improved after implementing WoTWoD. Qualitative information confirmed and explained improvements. Knowledge of Aboriginal history needed further improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WoTWoD may improve culturally appropriate care in general practice. Further research requires adequately powered randomised controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: PhD, FRACGP, FACHI, FACMI, Professor of General Practice, University of New South Wales; Director, General Practice Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District; RACGP National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee, NSW.
authors.forename: Siaw-Teng
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: Iqbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canalese
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelaher
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054521:Cultural Competency; D058006:General Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult