Walking through Research 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Training Opportunity Information

Presented by the University Centre for Rural Health – North Coast

OVERVIEW

Walking through Research is an introductory health research training program designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who work as community research assistants or are about to start postgraduate study. The course includes Indigenous knowledge delivered in a culturally safe context. It consists of a one week workshop with ongoing mentoring and support delivered by two Indigenous academics Assoc. Professor Janelle Stirling and Dr. Shawn Wilson.

The course will be held in the 2nd mid semester break 26 September to 30 September 2011 on the Camperdown campus of the University of Sydney.

 TARGET GROUP:

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed on research projects who have good community knowledge and health content knowledge but do not have formal research qualifications.
2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are considering commencing postgraduate study in the near future who would benefit from an introductory course. For this group it would be beneficial to have a draft proposal to bring to the course.

INTENDED OUTCOMES:

The foremost outcome of the course is to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the research process.  It is anticipated that building the research capacity of this group will have several long-term benefits including:

• Increased confidence in ability to enroll in research based degrees;
• Advanced readiness of students prior to beginning research based degrees;
• Increased capacity and understanding of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community based research assistants;
• Improved quality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research projects.

 REQUIREMENTS and CONDITIONS:

This course and workbooks are provided free of charge and includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch daily (as well as a Wednesday night social dinner). All other expenses and arrangements including but not limited to travel, accommodation, breakfast, evening meals and incidentals will be the responsibility of the employer. The course will run Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm (except Friday 2pm finish). As part of the duty of care of participants a daily roll check will be taken. If participants are unable to attend a day/s once the course has commenced they are asked as courtesy to let the teachers know they will be absent. Any arrangements regarding leave are a matter between the employee and employer.

 APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants are required to fill out and return the attached application form. Applications will be open up until 5^th August 2011. Applicants who meet the criteria will be awarded a place immediately; places will be filled as applications are received so you don’t have to wait till the closing date to find out if you have been accepted.

This Project is co-funded by Primary Health Care Research Evaluation Development (PHCRED) and Sydney University Grants for projects that promote Indigenous education and encourage and support Indigenous students.

For further information please contact Shawn on 0266207570.

Indigenous Health Overview

• Stop Smoking it its Tracks is a collaborative project which aims to reduce smoking rates in pregnant Aboriginal women. The program of work began in 2007 and is guided by a community reference group.  To date we have completed: a qualitative study with Aboriginal pregnant women on the North Coast; a survey of NSW and ACT Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Strategy (AMIHS) staff; and a survey of NSW and ACT AMIHS clients. The development and trial of a quitting program “Stop Smoking in its Tracks” in rural NSW is currently underway.

             UCRH staff:        Megan Passey, Janelle Stirling, Jennifer Gale, Catherine Malla    

             Funding:             Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing

• To understand how to make Home Medication Reviews (HMR) more culturally appropriate, we have conducted several focus groups organised through Aboriginal Medical Services around Australia. The evidence is currently being analysed.

             UCRH staff:        Lindy Swain, Janelle Stirling, Lesley Barclay

             Funding:             Pharmacy Guild of Australia

•   To explore the experiences and perceptions of Aboriginal haemodialysis patients in rural NSW in order to contribute to strategies that will improve quality of life and outcomes for these patients. The project will also identify and highlight any communication issues between the staff and patients.

UCRH staff:        Liz Rix, Janelle Stirling, Lesley Barclay

Funding:             The Clinical Excellence Commission of NSW: Ian O’Rourke scholarship in patient safety

• Improving counselling outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through action research    and formal Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This study involves formal CBT training and focus groups to assess the suitability of the training and use of the therapy with Aboriginal counsellors.

UCRH Staff:       James Bennett-Levy, Shawn Wilson, Janelle Stirling

Funding:             UCRH Funds

• 1+1=A Healthy Start to Life aims to improve the quality of services provided for remote dwelling Northern Territory Aboriginal women and infants during pregnancy and the year after birth. We have completed the first phase, with baseline maternal infant health data collected and analysed. Our ethnographic data on infant health is complete and an evaluation of interventions is in train. The sub-study on costing is developed with the data collection underway.

UCRH Staff:        Lesley Barclay, Sara Bar-Zeev, Malinda Steenkamp 

Funding:              National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia