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November 2021
The WA Centre for Rural Health's (WACRH) of The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of 16 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) in Australia. WACRH is based in Geraldton in the Midwest and Karratha in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Our aim is to improve rural, remote and Aboriginal health through research, education, student placement support and community service activities.

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

It been another busy few months here at WACRH and we are happy to have supported health science students on rural placement with us largely without interruption from COVID-19. There have been opportunities to apply for funding to extend our work in more remote areas and to develop support for training in aged care. While the outcome of these efforts is yet unknown, the processes can be tributed to many WACRH staff and the important relationships we have built over years with local and regional health care providers.

Precipitated by recent structural changes at UWA, WACRH has moved from the School of Population and Global Health to the School of Allied Health. We are enjoying working with and getting to know our new school colleagues. In other news, we would like to congratulate our Community Engagement Project Officer Lenny Papertalk who is close to completing her Masters of Social Work at UWA, and Research Officer Charmaine Green who will soon be submitting her PhD through ECU.

Professor Sandra Thompson

NEWS

Outreach program benefits remote school children

An outreach student program run by WACRH in Geraldton is providing valuable allied health services to primary school children in remote areas of Western Australia and benefiting the learning needs of university students on rural placement. Read more

Writers' festival explores gender inclusivity

Hosted by WACRH, authors Craig Silvey and Stella Budrikis conversed with Sandra Carr MLC at the Geraldton Big Sky Writers Festival provoking thoughtful discussion about how peoples' lives, and life choices have been shaped by societal expectations of gender roles. Read more

Geraldton family violence attitudes & exposure measured

WACRH has published a study which reviews community attitudes towards and exposure of family and domestic violence within the City of Greater-Geraldton. Read the report
Read the media release.

Mental health upskilling program

Geraldton Regional Hospital will soon feature a new mental health unit and step-up step-down mental health service. WACRH Mental Health Academic Chantal Crinquand Bachere has collaborated with WACHS and CQUniversity to develop and roll out a Mental Health Upskilling Program to nursing and allied health professionals working within the new unit.

Booting violence from the community

Running in its third year, the Men Against Violence Football Round is a collaboration between the WACRH, the Great Northern Football League, and Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation, that aims to communicate the message that "Violence is Never OK". Read more

Improving care for Indigenous cancer patients

A study has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient experiences of undergoing cancer treatment are improved when health services spend extra time building relationships with patients, engage in culturally respectful communication and involve indigenous health care professionals and the patients family. 
Read more

EDUCATION

Midwest Placements

Whilst we have not seen a return of Interstate students on placement in the Midwest we are experiencing a high demand for placements from all WA universities. We have supported students from 19 different health professions from audiology to speech pathology and everything in-between, to complete valued placements in our rural and remote communities.

Pilbara Placements

As 2021 draws to a close, the Pilbara office reflects on the excellent students we have hosted over the last 6 months. 54 allied health, nursing and health promotion students have undertaken placements in Karratha and Hedland, contributing to the local health workforce. We are looking forward to seeing some return to the Pilbara as graduates next year.

WACRH-RHW awards

Murdoch University chiropractic student Pauline Tran was awarded the WACRH-RHW Student Placement Award for exemplary customer service while undertaking her WACRH rural placement in Geraldton. WACRH lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald was awarded the Staff Award for extraordinary service and contribution to WACRH and the communities it services. Associate Professor's Rohan Rasiah and Monica Moran received the Outstanding Service Award 2021.

COMMUNITY

Mullewa Programs

WACRH occupational therapy students run a weekly Tech Hub program in collaboration with Mullewa Community Resource Centre, targeted at older people (50 and above) who are struggling to use digital technology. Exercise physiology students or physiotherapy students visit Mullewa every Wednesday afternoon to run a Gentle Gym in the council meeting room. 

Karratha Health Hub

The hub welcomed Mawarnkarra Health Services in July, who now deliver health services on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week.  Associate Lecturer Annette McVicar delivered an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental First Aid Course in September in partnership with Karratha Central Health Care, another course will be delivered 15-16 November. 

Student-led health clinics

Student-led health clinics run at WACRH at 167 Fitzgerald Street in Geraldton throughout the year. The clinics are for adults who have barriers accessing these services or programs. Regular clinics include: speech pathology, exercise physiology and physiotherapy. There is no charge to attend. Book on 9956 0200.

TRAINING

Speaking out against disrespect (online course)

WACRH has developed an online training package Speaking Out Against Disrespect to build individuals’ skills and confidence to speak up about sexist and disrespectful behaviour in their workplace and community. Access the online training here.

Cultural orientation plan (online course)

This online course is for students and health professionals working with Aboriginal people. Completion of this package is a prerequisite for all students completing placements at WACRH. Access the online training here.

Whisper no more: Better cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people (Perth)

WACRH is holding a three-day professional development opportunity in Perth (3-5 November) for Aboriginal health professionals and educators from across the sate to increase their awareness and understanding of the specific needs of aboriginal people with cancer. Read more

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander mental health first aid (Karratha)

This 2-day workshop is facilitated by WACRH Associate Lecturer Annette McVicar at our WA Centre for Rural Health - Pilbara site in Karratha on 15 - 16 November. We welcome community members and healthcare practitioners to these workshops. Read more

Mental health training (Geraldton)

Dates for mental health training including: mental health first aid, managing stress and vicarious trauma, will be announced in early 2022. Contact WACRH Mental Health Academic and Master Instructor Chantal Bachere Crinquand on 9956 0200Read more

Professional development (for health professionals)

WACRH is committed to contributing to the ongoing professional development of rural and remote health professionals.for upcoming opportunities, visit our website calendar. Read more

RESEARCH

WA Centre for Rural Health researchers and their collaborators have recently published the following peer-reviewed papers reporting on their research activities to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities:

A qualitative exploration of priorities for quality improvement amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services.  By Carlisle K, Matthews V, Redman-MacLaren M, Vine K, Turner N, Felton-Busch C, Taylor J, Thompson SC, Whaleboat D, Larkins S, Team LL. Read more

An audit of health student immunisation at a University Department of Rural Health reveals the imperative for a coordinated approach. By Crossley C, Thompson SC. Read more

Australians’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: Advantages and challenges of scaling up qualitative research using large-scale rapid analysis and building research capacity across rural Australia. By Rolf F, Campbell N, Thompson SC, Argus G. Read more

Can the CHA2DS2-VA schema be used to decide on anticoagulant therapy in Aboriginal and other Australians with non-valvular atrial fibrillation? By Hung J, Kelty E, Thompson SC, Katzenellenbogen JM. Read more

Experiences of student circus arts performers undertaking a shoulder rehabilitation program via telehealth consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Ganderton C, Rayner A, Barradell S, Munro D, Watson L, Knowles SR. Read more

Factors associated with the rural and remote practice of medical workforce in Maluku Islands of Indonesia: a cross-sectional study. By Noya F, Carr S, Thompson SC, Clifford R, Playford D. Read more

Healing Right Way: study protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial to enhance rehabilitation services and improve quality of life in Aboriginal Australians after brain injury. By Armstrong EM, Coffin J, Hersh D, Katzenellenbogen JM, Thompson SC, Flicker L, McAllister M, Cadilhac D, Rai T, Godecke E, Hayward C, Hankey G, Drew N, Lin IB, Ciccone N, Woods D. Read more

PLUS Framework: guidance for practice educators. By Dancza K, Copley J, Moran M. Read more

Psychological, social and lifestyle screening of people with low back pain treated by physiotherapists in a National Health Service musculoskeletal service: an audit.  By Singh G, McNamee G, Sharpe L, Lucas M, Lewis P, Newton C, O´Sullivan P, Lin IB, O´Sullivan K. Read more

Respect is central: A critical review of implementation frameworks for continuous quality improvement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services. By Redman-MacLaren M, Nungarrayi N, Taylor J, Laycock A, Vine K, Thompson Q, Larkins S, Carlisle K, Thompson SC, Bailie R, Matthews V. Read more

Study protocol for a prospective process evaluation of a culturally secure rehabilitation programme for Aboriginal Australians after brain injury: the Healing Right Way project. By Skoss R, White J, Stanley MJ, Robinson M, Thompson SC, Armstrong EM, Katzenellenbogen JM. Read more

The incidence of stroke in Indigenous populations of countries with a very high human development index: A systematic review protocol. By Balabanski AH, Dos Santos A, Woods JA, Thrift A, Kleinig TJ, Suchy-Dicey A, Siri SR, Boden-Albala B, Krishnamurthi R, Feigin VL, Buchwald D, Ranta A, Mienna CS, Churilov L, Burchill L, Longstreth WT, Zion D, Tirschwell DL, Katzenellenbogen JM. Read more

“The support has been brilliant”: experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients attending two high performing cancer services. By Taylor EV, Mason T, Parsons L, Holloway M, Lyford M, Sabesan S, Thompson SC. Read more

“You felt like a prisoner in your own self, trapped”: the experiences of Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders. By Armstrong EM, Coffin J, Hersh D, Katzenellenbogen JM, Thompson SC, Ciccone N, Flicker L, Woods D, Hayward C, Dowell C, McAllister M. Read more

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