Zuchowski, Ines, Waters, Erin, Kuruvila, Albert, Kuhn, Brodie, and Lee, Rebecca (2025) Integrating social work in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service primary health care setting: The first three months of data. Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin. (In Press)

PDF (Author Accepted Version) - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

Background: Social work within General Practice is an emerging contributor to primary healthcare aiming to address social determinants of health. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of health inequity and racism than non-Indigenous Australians. The Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service [TAIHS] is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service [ATSICCHS] whose mission is to deliver culturally appropriate services to achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Objective: This article reports on the first three months of data collection of a social worker employed at TAIHS as part of the North Queensland Social Work Placement in General Practice Expansion Project Research. The study co-funded the employment of social workers in GP clinics to evidence and evaluate the value of social workers in the GP setting.

Discussion: The findings highlight the broad nature of social work practice, using a range of interventions across mental, physical and social aspects of health. Social work can value add to general practice, alleviate workload pressure and address areas of concern to both patients and GPs, with social workers providing a link between primary care and community services.

Item ID:	85008
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1445-7253
Keywords:	Social Work; Indigenous Well-being; General Practice; Primary Healthcare;
Funders:	North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN)
Projects and Grants:	NQPHN PS311
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2025 00:07
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4409 Social work > 440901 Clinical social work practice @ 50% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4409 Social work > 440903 Social program evaluation @ 20% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420319 Primary health care @ 30%
SEO Codes:	21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander determinants of health @ 25% 20 HEALTH > 2003 Provision of health and support services > 200301 Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) @ 50% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status and outcomes @ 25%
Downloads:	Total: 1 Last 12 Months: 1
	More Statistics