Co-creating an Indigenous-led virtual health services model for Indigenous Australians living with chronic disease

To describe the co-design process and understand consumer perspectives of a virtual health services (VHS) model of primary healthcare delivery, for Indigenous Australians with chronic disease and living in regional, rural, and remote Queensland.

Using decolonising methodologies, the study used an Indigenous consensus method to undertake the co-design process and generate findings. For analysis, a qualitative interpretive-description framework was applied. Thematic analysis generated themes, describing consumer perspectives of virtual healthcare models.

The Goondir Health Services (Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) operating clinics in rural and remote Queensland.

Fourteen Indigenous VHS consumers who resided in Modified Monash Model 3-7 communities across Queensland, met the eligibility criteria and provided informed consent.

Two themes emerged: (1) personalised approaches to autonomous care using digital technologies, with two sub-themes of the benefits and challenges of technology, and the integration of culturally inclusive healthcare elements; (2) person-centred, culturally appropriate healthcare elements within a VHS model, with three sub-themes on the vital role of health coaches, the importance of community connections, and enabling holistic personalised healthcare access.

This study provides important consumer perspectives on the potential of VHS models of health care to empower Indigenous healthcare service consumers. VHS holds promise on multiple fronts: improved access, timeliness, continuity of care, and culturally sensitive health care, enabling improved self-management of chronic conditions, and provide crucial support from local Indigenous healthcare providers within the community. Future research on the sustainability and impact of personalised, consumer-centric digital health services in Indigenous populations is essential.