"They learn from us and we learn from them" in East Arnhem
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Background: Older people in Aboriginal communities in East Arnhem contribute to rich, complex and dynamic communities. Many Yolngu cultural leaders also experience chronic disease and related disabling consequences. Allied health professionals are stretched to deliver appropriate services to widespread, diverse communities. Allied health students working with older Yolngu people may provide benefits for community wellbeing and student learning. Aims: This project aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a co-created, student implemented allied health service to contribute to the wellbeing older Yolngu people in East Arnhem. Method: We used a co-design process with community members, health and aged care services, universities and agencies. Cultural advisors were integral to the iterative development and implementation of the service. Feasibility was evaluated via demographic, service data and student outcomes. Acceptability was evaluated using interviews with community members, cultural advisors, students, supervisors and local organisations. Results: Twenty-one Yolngu people participated in the program with services provided in homes, community organisations and out-and-about. All stakeholders valued the reciprocal learning that occurred. Families and community felt “comfortable sharing their stories” with the students and described the experience as “the start of help for many Yolngu community members”. The Yolngu cultural advisor described the process and impact as powerful. The two occupational therapy and two speech pathology students passed the placement and described their experience as transformative. Conclusion: Older people, local community partners, supervisors and allied health students worked in a process of ‘learning to connect and connecting to learn’. This co-created student-implemented service was feasible and acceptable as a service for older Yolngu people in a remote community context.
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Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2021
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19
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Online Event
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Speech Pathology Australia
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Melbourne, Australia
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