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McLean L.1, Bateson P.2
1Australian Physiotherapy Association, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee, Melbourne, Australia, 2Australian Physiotherapy Association, Policy and International Relations, Melbourne, Australia
Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a life expectancy of around 10 years less than other Australians and are more affected by complex chronic conditions that physiotherapy can treat. Evidence from 2009 showed that the physiotherapy profession en masse was not engaged with Indigenous health, and that Indigenous Australians were unlikely to see a physiotherapist. Indigenous Australians were also under-represented with-in the physiotherapy profession.
Purpose: To help improve these statistics, the APA was advised to commit to a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). A RAP is a document committing an organisation to undertake specific actions to help reconcile with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The RAP was one of the APA's first steps in leading physiotherapists to help to close the gap in life expectancy.
Methods: The APA Board of Directors appointed a RAP working-group comprising of representatives from the Board of Directors, staff and Aboriginal membership. The working-group completed cultural competency training and work-shopped possible actions for inclusion in the RAP. The subsequent draft was circulated to the APA staff, Indigenous Health Committee and National Advisory Council and several refinements were made. The RAP was then approved by Reconciliation Australia and launched in August 2013. The RAPs progress was monitored by the Indigenous Health Committee.
Results: The RAP included activities such as cultural awareness training for APA leaders and staff, celebration of cultural events, improved engagement of physiotherapists working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and conference content. It also provided opportunities to engage with key stakeholders and embed cultural safety into APA practice.
Of the 29 actions in the 2013-14 RAP, 19 were completed and seven were not completed. Three actions were classified as ongoing.
More important than the RAP actions was the gradual change in culture within the APA. Gradual change has occurred and the APA is now recognized as more culturally aware by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, and has developed a voice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues. We have joined the committee overseeing the implementation of policies to close the gap in life expectancy, and are now being approached to partner with Indigenous agencies. There is more cultural diversity in our member magazine and conference content.
Conclusion(s): Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health isnt a short term goal. A change in the culture of the APA has been an excellent outcome. Physiotherapists are now more engaged in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and the APA is planning to launch its second RAP in 2017. Vital to the next RAP are strong voices at all levels of leadership to drive culture change; strong relationships between the APA and Indigenous organisations and strong interest from APA members. One person or committee cannot achieve this alone.
Implications: The APA can play an important role in reversing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage through advocacy, building relationships and respect, and providing a model for members to follow. The second RAP will directly involve the APA membership and challenge Australian physiotherapists to be involved in Indigenous health.
Funding acknowledgements: The APA RAP development and implementation was funded by the APA.
Topic: Professional issues
Ethics approval: Ethics approval was not required
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
