Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Disability and Rehabilitation

Volume

44

Issue

16

First Page

4266

Last Page

4274

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

35491

Funders

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation

Far North Queensland Primary Health Network

Early Career Fellowship

National Health and Medical Research Council

Grant Number

NHMRC Number : 1131932

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION on 23/03/2021, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09638288.2021.1900416.

Cairns, A., Geia, L., Kris, S., Armstrong, E., O’Hara, A., Rodda, D., ... Barker, R. (2022). Developing a community rehabilitation and lifestyle service for a remote Indigenous community. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(16), 4266-4274.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1900416

Abstract

Purpose

Community rehabilitation is an essential health service that is often not available to remote Australians. This paper describes the first cycle of a collaborative project, between local community members, allied health professionals and a university, to co-design a community rehabilitation and lifestyle service to support adults and older people to stay strong and age well in place.

Methods

An action research framework was used to develop the service for adults in two remote communities, one being a discrete Aboriginal community. The first cycle involved planning for, and trialling of a service, with observations, reflections and feedback from clients, community members, university students and health service providers, to inform the subsequent service.

Results

Over two years, stakeholders worked collaboratively to plan, trial, reflect and replan an allied health student-assisted community rehabilitation service. The trial identified the need for dedicated clinical and cultural supervision. During replanning, three key elements for culturally responsive care were embedded into the service: reciprocity and yarning; holistic community-wide service; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentorship.

Conclusions

An action-research approach to co-design has led to the establishment of a unique community rehabilitation service to address disability and rehabilitation needs in two remote Australian communities.Implications for rehabilitation Co-design of community rehabilitation services between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and the local allied health professionals can lead to development of an innovative service model for remote Aboriginal communities. Culturally responsive community rehabilitation services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requires holistic and community-wide perspectives of wellbeing. Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of engaging and communicating, and leadership and mentorship for non-Indigenous allied health professionals and students are essential components for students-assisted culturally responsive services.

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2021.1900416

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