A public health approach to promoting advance care planning to Aboriginal people in regional communities.
OBJECTIVE
To explore perceptions of Noongar community members towards advance care planning (ACP), while developing culturally appropriate information resources for use in community and hospital settings.


DESIGN
Qualitative research methods, combining active health promotion with interviews and group discussions for participant feedback.


SETTING
Six rural communities across the Great Southern region of Western Australia.


PARTICIPANTS
Eighteen Noongar community members consented to participate in interviews or group discussions.


INTERVENTIONS
Community members received information about ACP at community events or home visits, from an Aboriginal health worker and palliative care researcher.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Semi-structured interviews and group discussions were thematically analysed using a descriptive, exploratory approach. Research team reflections on community events also constituted data.


RESULTS
Key themes impacting on perceptions of ACP included cultural approaches to dying, importance of family and kin, and appropriate communication. Participants were satisfied with the information resource and method of community engagement.


CONCLUSIONS
Culturally appropriate methods of engaging Aboriginal people in ACP discussions should include Aboriginal health workers and take a whole of community approach to awareness raising.
['Sinclair|Craig|C|', 'Williams|Glenda|G|', 'Knight|Andrew|A|', 'Auret|Kirsten|K|']
D032722:Advance Care Planning D001290:Attitude D006293:Health Promotion D006801:Humans D044468:Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander D011634:Public Health D036301:Qualitative Research D013727:Terminal Care
Aboriginal rural palliative end-of-life care medical treatment decision