The ATLAS program commenced a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Webinar Series in February to share and improve STI and BBV control with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) who participate in the ATLAS Network.
Guest speakers Nunuccal woman from North Stradbroke Island and Interim Manager Communications and Marketing, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) Renée Brown and Bundjalung man from Northern New South Wales and Program Manager, EC Australia Partnership at UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health Troy Combo opened the webinar series.
Ms Brown and Mr Combo have each made significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their careers. They reflected on embedding Aboriginal knowledges into the use of data to improve on and navigate the complexity of changing health service systems.
Ms Brown emphasised the obligation to community of cultural safety and respect when addressing health inequities.
“Applying a cultural lens to CQI recognises the value and prioritises the worldview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to health and wellbeing.
“This lens incorporates traditional knowledge, practices, and values into the CQI process. It enables better health service system design that is culturally responsive and respectful in the context of better controlling STIs and BBVs,” she said.
Mr Combo highlighted some of the key challenges and barriers that ACCHOs encounter when implementing CQI. Among these is the impact of stigma and discrimination on engaging with and accessing health services.
“With the right support and strategies in place, ACCHOs can implement effective CQI initiatives that promote positive health outcomes and quality of life for Indigenous communities,” he said.
Lana Dyda, CQI Coordinator at Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service Inc, said the webinar provided her with valuable insight into best practice.
“Community engagement and consultation is important when collecting and analysing health data. In my work, data visualisation and storytelling help in communicating effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” she said.
The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Webinar Series are held monthly.
For more information about the ATLAS Network, email atlas@uq.edu.au
