Aboriginal peoples participation in their health care: a patient right and an obligation for health care providers

Couzos, Sophie;Thiele, Dea Delaney

Abstract

[Extract] Health professionals may be experts about disease, but patients are experts about their lives. That's because patients live with their illness and disease every day. The best health care providers know that the factors that influence people’s lives also influences their health outcomes. They treat the patient and not just the disease. This is called patient-centered care. Aboriginal peoples started delivering patient-centred care 45years ago when they established Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). These services gave patients a voice in their health care decisions when this had been historically denied to them 2.Through these services, and there are now more than 150 of them. Aboriginal peoples can meaningfully participate in the healthcare system. ACCHSs now form part of a national system of primary health care services that specialise in providing comprehensive and quality care to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. So, what is it about these services that demonstrate consumer engagement or participation? First, let's explore what this means.

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Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal

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Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal

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1037-3403

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Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker

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