• Natalie Strobel, Carol Moylan, Angela Durey, Karen Edmond, Kimberley McAuley, and Daniel McAullay.
• Medical School, University of Western Australia.
• Aust N Z J Public Health. 2020 Apr 1; 44 (2): 95-101.

ObjectiveTo explore caregiver perspectives of their children's journey through the specialist paediatric service, the Aboriginal Ambulatory Care Coordination Program (AACC), and non-AACC services at the Perth Children's Hospital.MethodsEighteen semi-structured interviews with families of Aboriginal children were completed. Indigenous research methodology and a phenomenological approach guided data collection and analysis.ResultsFour key themes were identified from interviews: hospital admissions, discharge and follow-up outpatient appointments; communication; financial burden; and cultural issues. Our findings suggest Aboriginal children and their caregivers using the AACC program had more positive and culturally secure experiences than those using non-AACC services. However, barriers relating to health providers' understanding of Aboriginal cultural issues and lived experience were commonly discussed, regardless of which service families received.ConclusionsAustralian Aboriginal children have an increased use of tertiary hospital care compared to non-Indigenous children. Healthcare programs specifically designed for Aboriginal children and their families can improve their experience of care in hospital. However, improvements in cultural awareness for other hospital staff is still needed. Implications for public health: Dedicated Aboriginal programs in mainstream services can successfully improve cultural care to their clients, which is fundamental to improving service delivery for families.© 2020 The Authors.

28 keywords...

hide…