Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally

Abstract Background Indigenous people make up approximately 3% of the total Australian population and score poorer on all health indices, including back pain. Chiropractors are well placed to alleviate back pain, yet there is no research that considers chiropractors’ readiness to treat Indigenous pa...

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Main Authors: Dein Vindigni, Barbara I. Polus, Sonja Cleary, Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-05-01
Series:Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-017-0144-0
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author Dein Vindigni
Barbara I. Polus
Sonja Cleary
Aunty Kerrie Doyle
author_facet Dein Vindigni
Barbara I. Polus
Sonja Cleary
Aunty Kerrie Doyle
author_sort Dein Vindigni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Indigenous people make up approximately 3% of the total Australian population and score poorer on all health indices, including back pain. Chiropractors are well placed to alleviate back pain, yet there is no research that considers chiropractors’ readiness to treat Indigenous patients. This study explores chiropractors` experience working with Indigenous Australians, describes perceived barriers and facilitators to chiropractors’ participation in Indigenous Healthcare and their willingness to engage in cultural competency training. Methods This study used a non-representative cross-sectional design and a convenience sample. Participants were recruited via email invitation to complete an online survey and encouraged to send the invitation on to colleagues. A 17-item online-survey measured demographic data, perceived barriers and facilitators related to caring for Indigenous Australians, participants` level of comfort when working in Indigenous health, and their willingness to participate in cultural competency programs to enhance their skills, knowledge and cultural capacity when engaging with Indigenous Australians. Analysis of the data included descriptive statistics as well as thematic analysis of qualitative free text. Results One hundred and twenty-five chiropractors participated in the survey. The majority of participants (86%, n = 108) were employed in private practice. 62% of respondents were members of the Chiropractors' Association of Australia, 41% were Chiropractic and Osteopathic College of Australasia members. 60% of chiropractors considered that they had, or do treat Indigenous patients yet only 4% of respondents asked their patients if they identified as Indigenous. A majority of participants expressed a high level of ‘comfort’ or confidence in working with Indigenous people while only 17% of respondents had undertaken some form of cultural proficiency training. A majority of respondents (62.7%, n = 74) expressed an interest in working with Indigenous Australians and a majority (91%, n = 104) were willing to participate in training to develop Indigenous cultural competency. Conclusions The study points to a need for chiropractors to have access to cultural proficiency training in order to develop the capability and confidence to engage respectfully with their Indigenous patients. This preliminary study has provided the researchers with valuable insights aiding the development and implementation of an Indigenous cultural proficiency program for chiropractors.
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spelling doaj.art-2e559db070cf4261b370d21e5521a6bc2022-12-22T01:58:40ZengBMCChiropractic & Manual Therapies2045-709X2017-05-012511910.1186/s12998-017-0144-0Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturallyDein Vindigni0Barbara I. Polus1Sonja Cleary2Aunty Kerrie Doyle3Discipline of Chiropractic, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityDiscipline of Chiropractic, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityDiscipline of Nursing, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityDiscipline of Nursing, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT UniversityAbstract Background Indigenous people make up approximately 3% of the total Australian population and score poorer on all health indices, including back pain. Chiropractors are well placed to alleviate back pain, yet there is no research that considers chiropractors’ readiness to treat Indigenous patients. This study explores chiropractors` experience working with Indigenous Australians, describes perceived barriers and facilitators to chiropractors’ participation in Indigenous Healthcare and their willingness to engage in cultural competency training. Methods This study used a non-representative cross-sectional design and a convenience sample. Participants were recruited via email invitation to complete an online survey and encouraged to send the invitation on to colleagues. A 17-item online-survey measured demographic data, perceived barriers and facilitators related to caring for Indigenous Australians, participants` level of comfort when working in Indigenous health, and their willingness to participate in cultural competency programs to enhance their skills, knowledge and cultural capacity when engaging with Indigenous Australians. Analysis of the data included descriptive statistics as well as thematic analysis of qualitative free text. Results One hundred and twenty-five chiropractors participated in the survey. The majority of participants (86%, n = 108) were employed in private practice. 62% of respondents were members of the Chiropractors' Association of Australia, 41% were Chiropractic and Osteopathic College of Australasia members. 60% of chiropractors considered that they had, or do treat Indigenous patients yet only 4% of respondents asked their patients if they identified as Indigenous. A majority of participants expressed a high level of ‘comfort’ or confidence in working with Indigenous people while only 17% of respondents had undertaken some form of cultural proficiency training. A majority of respondents (62.7%, n = 74) expressed an interest in working with Indigenous Australians and a majority (91%, n = 104) were willing to participate in training to develop Indigenous cultural competency. Conclusions The study points to a need for chiropractors to have access to cultural proficiency training in order to develop the capability and confidence to engage respectfully with their Indigenous patients. This preliminary study has provided the researchers with valuable insights aiding the development and implementation of an Indigenous cultural proficiency program for chiropractors.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-017-0144-0ChiropractorsExperienceIndigenousAustralianCultural competency
spellingShingle Dein Vindigni
Barbara I. Polus
Sonja Cleary
Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Chiropractors
Experience
Indigenous
Australian
Cultural competency
title Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
title_full Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
title_fullStr Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
title_full_unstemmed Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
title_short Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally
title_sort chiropractors experience and readiness to work in indigenous australian communities a preliminary cross sectional survey to explore preparedness perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross culturally
topic Chiropractors
Experience
Indigenous
Australian
Cultural competency
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-017-0144-0
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