Aboriginal Health - Closing the gap in your practice

This education discusses the reasons why it is important for general practices to have systems in place to identify their patients who are Aboriginal. The education discusses the specific Medicare item numbers applicable to Aboriginal patients, as well as other specific initiatives. The barriers to care are discussed and methods to overcome these are explored. The role of these initiatives and item numbers in patient management is discussed.

By completing this learning activity, participants will be able to:

• Provide a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal people to identify themselves and thus to increase identification of Aboriginal people in mainstream general practice, particularly in urban areas (of NSW).
• Describe the Medicare item numbers (MBS item 715 and follow-up items) and the PIP program specifically related to Aboriginal people and link to the appropriate cultural awareness training (provided by RACGP or ACRRM and NACCHO endorsed).
• Discuss the RACGP 4th standards for accreditation in terms of Aboriginal identification.
• Identify system changes that practices can undertake to routinely identify both new and existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
• Utilise the templates, resources and information about the Aboriginal Health Check and the support available through the Divisions Network / Medicare Locals.

You will need the latest version of Flash to view the module - you can download the latest version here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

This education was prepared by Dr Claire Berman and Dr John Crimmins.

Artwork by Jasmine Sarin.

There is a discussion forum for this activity and we encourage you to participate after you have completed the education.