title: Facilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
authors: Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Davy
authors: Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Cass
authors: Inala Indigenous Health Service, Queensland.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Brady
authors: Wuchopperen Health Service, Queensland.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: DeVries
authors: Wuchopperen Health Service, Queensland.
authors: Barry
authors: B
authors: Fewquandie
authors: The George Institute for Global Health, New South Wales.
authors: Suzzane
authors: S
authors: Ingram
authors: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Northern Territory.
authors: Ricky
authors: R
authors: Mentha
authors: Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service, New South Wales.
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Simon
authors: Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Northern Territory.
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Rickards
authors: Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory.|Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, Northern Territory.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Togni
authors: The George Institute for Global Health, New South Wales.
authors: Hueming
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: The George Institute for Global Health, New South Wales.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Peiris
authors: Inala Indigenous Health Service, Queensland.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Askew
authors: Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Kite
authors: Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
authors: Leda
authors: L
authors: Sivak
authors: The George Institute for Global Health, New South Wales.
authors: Maree
authors: M
authors: Hackett
authors: Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, University of Manitoba, Canada.
authors: Josée
authors: J
authors: Lavoie
authors: Wardliparingga Aboriginal Research Unit, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland; D012424:Rural Population
keywords: Indigenous health; chronic disease; primary health care; service delivery