Delivering Accessible Chiropractic Services in a Culturally Sensitive Manner: The Aboriginal Health in Aboriginal Hands Program

Objective

The purposes of this study were to (1) identify important principles for facilitating accessibility to allied health services such as chiropractic treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and delivering these services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (2) to contextualize these principles by mapping them to an allied health program (Aboriginal Health in Aboriginal Hands [AHAH]) currently delivering these services within an Indigenous community.

Methods

To gather information about the program`, yarnings were held with stakeholders of the AHAH clinic. Key features of the program were then mapped against the identified domains of accessibility and principles for design and delivery in the context of cultural sensitivity.

Results

Notable aspects of the AHAH service design and delivery included building on the strengths of the community; being located at an established Aboriginal community gathering space that provides a familiar location for prospective service users; high level and face to face involvement of Aboriginal community members who facilitate the “welcoming nature” and cultural appropriateness of the service. Furthermore, the oversight and daily involvement of Indigenous community members ensures the application of the domains of approachability, acceptability, availability, affordability, and appropriateness and the cultural principles identified as important by Aboriginal leaders and researchers for working with “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander” communities (lore, love, look, listen, learn, lead, and land).

Conclusion

Applying the principles of accessibility and cultural appropriateness, appears to facilitate the delivery of therapies, such as chiropractic, with “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander” communities.