The case for Aboriginal Health Workers in palliative care

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.

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.

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.