Cultural competence does not just rest with individuals. There needs to be organisational support to ensure that services are provided in a culturally respectful way:
❖ actively employ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people to
attend the front desk or reception area and any other areas, not only where they are working directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
❖ support non-Indigenous staff in accessing cultural awareness
training and include this type of training in orientation programs for new staff
❖ identify and address systemic barriers to access to the service by
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
❖ ensure systems are in place to monitor and address staff attitudes
so that services are provided in a culturally safe manner
❖ ensure availability of and support for interpreters and cultural
mentors where possible
❖ ensure principles of equity and access are written into the service’s
documentation and are reflected in its culture and actions
❖ nominate a care coordinator or case manager to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander patients and ensure that this person follows them up at frequent intervals
❖ consider the appearance of the front reception area — is there
evidence that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are welcome (eg Aboriginal art on the walls, Aboriginal magazines in the waiting room).
Strengthening Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples A Guide for Health Professionals
61 Toolkit 2 – Information sheets for patients
TOOLKIT 2 — INFORMATION SHEETS
FOR PATIENTS
What is in this toolkit?
This toolkit contains core information that can be adapted for use as educational materials for patients. Each sheet can be used in the following ways:
❖ copy the sheet and decorate the border area in a way that is
appropriate to your community before copying it and giving it to patients (pictures to illustrate the messages are a good idea)
❖ enlarge the sheet using a photocopier and use it as a poster
(illustrated or decorated) in the reception area of your health organisation
❖ use the Word version of the sheet (available for download from
www.nhmrc.gov.au) and adapt the messages and format so that they are appropriate to your community.
Remember that the information you provide should be reinforced by pictures or demonstrations. In some cases, written information will not be appropriate. Models and sample devices can be obtained (often for free) from companies that produce cardiac medicines or medical technology (eg stents).
Information sheets are provided on the following topics:
Understanding heart conditions
What is coronary heart disease?
What is atherosclerosis? Is it a heart attack? Heart valve problems Heart rhythm problems What is high blood pressure?
Understanding tests and treatments
Tests for heart problems Procedures for heart disease
After hospital
What happens after hospital?
Feeling down after surgery or heart attack? What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Medicines for heart problems Getting support or information
Secondary prevention
Tips for a healthy heart Healthy eating for your heart What is cholesterol?
Tips for healthy weight Getting active for your heart
Smoking, substance use and heart health Alcohol and heart health
Depression and your heart Stress — why worry?
Strengthening Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 62 Toolkit 2 – Information sheets for patients
The information sheets have been developed based on information from the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the NSW Aboriginal Vascular Health Program. The information sheet “Healthy eating for your heart” was developed with the assistance of Professor Kerin O’Dea.
Why should you read and use this toolkit?
This toolkit has been developed for use by health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with heart disease. Depending on your level of knowledge, the information in this toolkit may help you to better understand cardiovascular disease and cardiac rehabilitation — this will help you to communicate the important points to patients and their families or carers. If you feel that you need more information to improve your understanding of a specific aspect of cardiac care or rehabilitation, talk with other health professionals with expertise in the area or consult relevant resources from the list given in Toolkit 3. Even if you have extensive knowledge in the area, this toolkit provides an easy way to give consistent evidence-based messages to patients with heart disease.
Where can you get other appropriate resources?
A large range of health promotion materials is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Some of these are locally focussed, but others are more broadly applicable. Many of these materials are listed in the publications below. Other locally based materials may also be available.
Indigenous Health Promotion Resources: a National Information Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers (4th edition)
This publication provides a centralised database of health resources and practical assistance to Aboriginal Health Workers. The guide is in an easy to read format and is available free to current subscribers of the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal while stocks last. Non- subscribers may order a copy by contacting [email protected].
National Heart Foundation of Australia publications
The Heart Foundation has produced patient information materials that are specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients including:
❖ Listen to Your Heart: A Story about Caring for Your Heart (Video)
❖ Tobacco Book (booklet and brochure)
❖ Heart Story (flipchart)
❖ How Smoking Affects Your Family (poster)
These resources are available from www.heartfoundation.com.au.
NSW Aboriginal Vascular Health Program resource guide
A comprehensive list of resources developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients has been compiled as part of the NSW Aboriginal Vascular Health Program.