Ms Sarah Fraser¹, Associate Professor Julian Grant¹, Dr Tamara Mackean¹, Dr Kate Hunter², Mrs Ngara Keeler³, Professor Kathleen Clapham⁴, Associate Professor Warwick Teague⁵, Professor Tom Potokar⁶, Professor Rebecca Ivers²

¹Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, ²The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, Australia, ³Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia, ⁴University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia, ⁵University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, ⁶University of Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdon

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate factors informing burn care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Design: In-depth qualitative study with semi-structured interview questions.
Setting and participants: Multidisciplinary team members who provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in six tertiary burn units across five Australian jurisdictions.
Results: Results from 76 interviews suggest burn care in Australia is informed by a web of complex factors including evidence, resources and resourcing, individual clinician decision making processes and beliefs, and models of care. A western biomedical health paradigm governs healthcare system policy for burn care. The allocation of resources informs the provision (or not) of care; as does expert information and direction from senior clinicians. Participants reported jurisdictional specific models of burn care to inform care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; which were developed using service and team experience, population data and other evidence derived in a western paradigm.
Conclusion: Burn care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia is performed in a western biomedical paradigm that participants report is not always aligned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families’ concepts of health and healing. System resources to support services and individuals targeting good burn care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are required.

Biography:

Sarah is a registered nurse and currently works in a state-wide quality improvement coordinator role at the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia. Sarah is one of four PhD candidates on a large study investigating burn injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.