02809nas a2200457   4500000000100000008004100001653001100042653001100053653000900064653002400073653003800097653002500135653002400160653002700184653003500211653001500246653002100261100001400282700001000296700001400306700001300320700001500333700001500348700001900363700002100382700001700403700001700420700002400437700001900461700001800480700001600498700001500514700001800529700001500547700001700562245013500579300001200714490000700726520160400733022001402337       2016                            d10aFemale10aHumans10aMale10aInterviews as Topic10aPatient Acceptance of Health Care10aQualitative Research10aPrimary Health Care10aOceanic Ancestry Group10aProfessional-Patient Relations10aQueensland10aRural Population1 aCass Alan1 aLiu H1 aHackett M1 aIngram S1 aDavy Carol1 aBrady John1 aDeVries Joanne1 aFewquandie Barry1 aMentha Ricky1 aSimon Pamela1 aRickards Bernadette1 aTogni Samantha1 aAskew Deborah1 aKite Elaine1 aSivak Leda1 aLavoie Josée1 aBrown Alex1 aPeiris David00aFacilitating engagement through strong relationships between primary healthcare and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  a535-5410 v403 a<p>
<b>OBJECTIVE: </b>Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, it is of concern that access to and sustained engagement with primary healthcare services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is often far lower than would be expected. This study sought to explore ways in which relationships can support sustained engagement with healthcare services.
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<b>METHODS: </b>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 126 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants with and without chronic disease and 97 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous healthcare providers, healthcare service managers or administrative staff.
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<b>RESULTS: </b>Our findings indicate that when faced with acute health issues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants did prioritise care, provided that the service was both physically and emotionally welcoming. Trustworthiness of healthcare providers and strong relationships with patients were the most important factors for encouraging sustained engagement overtime.
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<b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Responsibility for sustaining relationships does not rest solely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Rather, healthcare providers need to commit to the process of building and maintaining relationships.
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<b>IMPLICATIONS: </b>First and foremost healthcare providers should take time to establish and then maintain relationships. Healthcare services can also contribute by ensuring facilities are welcoming for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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  a1753-6405