RESEARCH
WITH
VICTORIA DONOGHUE PROJECT OFFICER, QAIHC/QIMR BERGHOFER
Genetic Health Pathways
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders Collaboration with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Genetics Health Queensland The use of genetics and genomics in health care has the potential to transform delivery of health services and ultimately improve health and wellbeing outcomes. It has been identified that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at risk of being ‘left out’ of these developments and potential gains. Coordinated care across primary and specialist services is vital to ensure quality, equitable and accessible genetic health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders. It is also essential that these services are culturally safe and appropriate.
GENOMIC PARTNERSHIPS Guidelines for genomic research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland
QAIHC’s partnership with QIMR Berghofer, Genetics Health Queensland (GHQ) and Queensland Genomics, began with the development of the Genomic Partnerships: Guidelines for genomic research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland (the Guidelines). In an Australian first, these guidelines were created to ensure best-practice genomic research when engaging and partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. The Guidelines: clearly articulate the core values reflecting the essential elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and identity that should be evident in genomic research proposals provide examples of support documentation and templates to assist researchers undertaking genomic research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identify the most appropriate and efficient pathways to engage with local communities. The Indigenous Genomic Health Literacy Project (IG-HeLP) stemmed from community consultation which identified a need for resources to help primary health care providers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to make informed choices about genetic health services. An animation and brochure titled: ‘Your blood, your story’ Let’s have a yarn about DNA, genes and genetic health were developed to educate and inform on topics of DNA, genes, genetic health, genetic testing and precision medicine.
Artwork “My health, my journey” by Wendy Rix
QAIHC continues the QIMR Berghofer and GHQ collaboration in a new project: Referral Pathways: Genetic Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders’ (Referral Pathways project). The Referral Pathways project will explore service utilisation and workforce needs and preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ATSICCHOs) in Queensland. A series of consultations and engagement workshops will be undertaken to determine a culturally safe referral pathway for genetic health access between ATSICCHOs and GHQ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders. Victoria Donoghue was appointed in July 2020 in a joint role between QIMR Berghofer and QAIHC to work closely with QAIHC Members and communities across the state to develop the referral pathway. Workshops will commence in late 2020, with details communicated to the Sector. For further information on the project, please email Victoria at victoria.donoghue@qaihc.com.au or phone 3328 8500. For more information about Genomic Partnerships projects visit qimrberghofer.edu.au/our-research/ aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-health
Sector Leader M A G A Z I N E
| November/December 2020
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