Aboriginal people have the worst health indicators of all Australian sub populations. The reasons for these poor health indicators are complex. They originate in the impact caused by colonization more than 200 years ago and are compounded today by socioeconomic factors such as poor levels of education and employment, lifestyle factors including, poor nutrition and physical inactivity and culturally inappropriate health care services. GPs are essential to improving Aboriginal health.

Aboriginal concepts of health are holistic rather than disease based, they relate to community, culture, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) are primary health care services initiated and operated by the local Aboriginal community to deliver comprehensive and culturally appropriate health care to the community that controls it.

ACCHSs are staffed by Doctors, Aboriginal Health Workers, Registered Nurses and support staff to provide the following services:

• medical, allied health and AHW clinical consultations
• dialysis, screening programs and minor surgery 
• social preventative and health promotion programs 
• outreach services to remote communities 
• advocacy

Working in an ACCHS provides GP Registrars with unique opportunities to develop skills and experience in:

• cross cultural communication
• holistic health
• multidisciplinary team work 
• treatment of complex and varied illnesses 
• community based public health programs 
• making a real difference

What other Registrars have said…

“Working in Aboriginal Health, because of the opportunity to make a difference, is far more satisfying than working at the margins of a healthy community”

“Working with patients with complex medical and social problems was challenging and satisfying. I learnt a lot!”

“What is really good is that I am able to provide a safe place for people who are out of the loop - I am breaking down the stereotype about doctors”  

Where can you work?

Most GP Registrar training terms can be undertaken in an ACCHS which has been accredited as a Training Practice for GP training. The following are accredited for ARSP training in Western Australia.

Kimberley

• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council, contact Dr David Atkinson

Goldfields

• Bega Garnbirringu Health Service, contact Dr Clare Willix

More information about these ACCHSs can be found in the regional areas of this website.

More information

• Training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health-making a difference and gaining invaluable General Practice skills. Available on the GPET website: http://www.agpt.com.au 
• Contact the Project Officer for GP Education and Training at the Aboriginal Health Council of WA or access information from the website. Available at http://www.ahcwa.org 
• Join the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization GP Network and participate in their web forum discussions to talk to other GPs and GP Registrars who have worked in this area.  http://www.naccho.org.au/gphome.html