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Environmental health officers' understanding about an aboriginal environmental health worker program in the Northern
1Faculty of Education, Northern Territory University. envirosol@taunet.net.au
Objective:
To explore environmental health officers' (EHOs) perception that a program to train Aboriginal people as environmental health workers in 10 remote Northern Territory communities was not operating well.
Method:
Phenomenography, an approach within the qualitative domain, was used to explore 15 EHOs' understanding about the program during 1996-97. Respondents came from four of the Territory's five operational districts.
Results:
Respondents were unclear about worker roles and responsibilities within the program. Perceptions about their own skills as trainers in a cross-cultural context inhibited their abilities to support the program effectively.
Conclusions:
Addressing the support, orientation and professional development needs of EHOs will enhance program effectiveness.
Implications:
Support staff should be adequately prepared and trained before a new program is commenced.