The case for Aboriginal Health Workers in palliative care.

OBJECTIVES: The findings are drawn from a 2-year research project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which aimed to develop an innovative model for Indigenous palliative care. The findings presented in this article explore one important strategy for putting Aboriginal families and their communities at the centre of the model: that is, the employment of Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) in relation to the provision of palliative care in the Northern Territory. METHODS: The data were collected from 72 qualitative interviews conducted throughout the regional, rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory with Indigenous patients and carers in the Northern Territory and the health professionals who care for them. RESULTS: While highlighting the valuable role of AHWs, the findings emphasise that the current lack of availability of such workers for palliative care provision for Indigenous peoples needs serious consideration.

The "right story" to the "right person": communication issues in end-of-life care for Indigenous people.

OBJECTIVES: To explore communication issues faced by health care workers and Indigenous patients and their families in a palliative care setting. Effective communication with Aborigines is especially important because Aboriginal beliefs of health and sickness are so different from Western views. METHOD: Data were collected from 72 qualitative interviews conducted throughout the regional, rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory with Indigenous patients and carers and the health professionals who care for them. RESULTS: Participants highlighted the struggle associated with effective communication when working in a cross-cultural setting at the interface of Indigenous and Western health care. The findings record the wisdom and insight from practitioners who have extensive experience dealing with communication difficulties.