Nelson, Alison, Mills, Kyly, Dargan, Samara, and Roder, Chantel (2016) “I Am Getting Healthier”. Perceptions of Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in a Chronic Disease Self-Management and Rehabilitation Program. Health, 8 (6). pp. 538-547.

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Abstract

Chronic disease is a main contributor to the disproportionately high burden of illness experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. However, there are very few programs addressing chronic disease self-management and rehabilitation which are designed specifically for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This paper aims to explore client and staff perceptions of the Work It out Program, a chronic disease rehabilitation and self-management program designed for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The study used a mixed methods approach to explore the success, barriers and self-reported outcomes of the program. Quantitative data were collected through a structured survey, comprising social and demographic data. Qualitative data were collected through interviews using Most Significant Change theory. Twenty-eight participants were recruited, 6 staff and 22 clients (M = 7, F = 21) with an age range between 21 and 79 years of age (Mean = 59.00, SD = 17.63). Interviews were completed in 2013 across four Work It out locations in Southeast Queensland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted either individually or in groups of two or three, depending on the participants’ preference. Thematic analysis of the data revealed six main themes; physical changes, lifestyle improvements, social and emotional well-being, perceptions about the successful features of the program, perceived barriers to the program and changes for the future. This exploratory study found that clients and staff involved in the Work It out Program perceived it as an effective self-management and rehabilitation program for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Further evaluation with a larger sample size is warranted in order to establish further outcomes of the program.

Item ID:	81598
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1461-7196
Keywords:	Indigenous Health; Chronic Disease; Self-Management; Rehabilitation
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2016 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Date Deposited:	03 May 2024 05:20
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450409 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services @ 100%
SEO Codes:	21 INDIGENOUS > 2101 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services > 210101 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community service programs @ 100%
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