A new research project led by Flinders University will explore how to improve the treatment and outcomes of injuries sustained from road traffic accidents, traumatic brain injuries, burns, falls and near drowning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Injury is the third leading cause of death, and second leading cause of disease burden in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and shows no sign of declining.
"Injuries are an invisible public health concern in Australia, killing over 13,000 people and leaving over 500,000 with lifelong disabilities every year," says Associate Professor Courtney Ryder, Discipline Lead for Trauma and Injury from the College of Medicine and Public Health.
"Almost all available evidence shows higher rates of injury among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples than in the dominant Australian population and in most cases the differences are very significant.
"The current responses to injury prevention and care largely rely on Western biomedical models that have remained unchanged for the past two decades and don't represent culturally appropriate treatment."
Associate Professor Ryder warns that this lack of adaptation fails to meet the unique cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, exacerbating the existing health disparities.
The IMPACT 'Indigenous Measures for Protecting and Addressing Critical Trauma' project is funded by a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Indigenous Health Research Grant amounting to almost $1 million.
"The IMPACT project will be inclusive and culturally informed, aiming to create better healthcare outcomes for Indigenous populations by integrating their voices, knowledge, and cultural factors into the healthcare system," she says.
Grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies, the project embraces a culturally relevant framework that prioritises strength-based approaches to the care and treatment of injuries.
This innovative initiative will be guided by strong Aboriginal leadership and integrates input from consumers and clinical experts with an aim to reform injury management systems through co-design and collaboration with Indigenous communities.
"By focusing on integrated models of care, relational clinical quality indicators, and patient-reported outcome measures that are tailored to community needs, IMPACT seeks to create a comprehensive and culturally responsive injury management system.
"The multi-faceted project will enhance healthcare delivery, ensure culturally appropriate practices, and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients by understanding their experiences and tailoring healthcare processes accordingly.
"We hope to offer a future where the trauma and injury inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can be effectively addressed, making significant strides towards improved health outcomes and quality of life."
