THE COMPASS PROJECT: GUIDING KIDNEY CARE THROUGH ABORIGINAL PATIENT NAVIGATORS
Kelli Owen1,2, Samantha Bateman, Matilda D’Antoine2, Isaac Brown2, Katie Cundale1
1National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce, Adelaide, SA, Australia
2South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Abstract
Aim
In Australia, the development of health service interventions for Indigenous people living with kidney disease, such as Patient Navigator programs, must be led by Aboriginal people. To ensure culturally appropriate care, projects must apply decolonising and co-design practices. Our project is led by Aboriginal Chief Investigators with lived experience of kidney transplantation to ensure Aboriginal voices guide care for Aboriginal people.
Background
Kidney disease disproportionately impacts Indigenous people in Australia. The pathway to transplantation is complex, confusing, and culturally unsafe. Aboriginal-led solutions are needed to ensure safe and equitable care, yet there is currently a disconnect between Aboriginal kidney Patient Navigator programs in South Australia and the Northern Territory: two jurisdictions that share one transplantation unit.
Methods
Both the implementation and research sides of this project – Connecting Our Mob: Patient navigators As Sustainable Supports (COMPASS) – are led and guided by Aboriginal people and Patient Navigators. Regular coordination and consultation meetings ensure the program is governed and designed by Aboriginal people.
Results
Change management of a Patient Navigator project is guided by Aboriginal voices through collaborative meetings. Meetings assist with the identification of concerns and practical solutions in real-time from the Navigators, enabling effective, Aboriginal-led change to enhance patient journeys. Establishing bi-monthly relational meetings between Patient Navigators at renal and transplantation services has also enhanced the coordination, and therefore continuity, of care for patients travelling between sites.
Conclusions
Our project uses Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing to guide project development, implementation, and change. Through this, we advocate for embedding Aboriginal kidney Patient Navigator roles into the Australian health system to ensure kidney transplantation care for Aboriginal people is culturally appropriate.
Biography
Kelli Owen is a Kaurna, Narungga, and Ngarrindjeri woman who holds a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Indigenous Languages Education. She is the National Community Engagement Coordinator for the National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce (NIKTT), a member of NIKTT Operations Committee, Project officer with SA Health overseeing the Kanggawodli renal project with CNARTS (Central Northern Adelaide Renal & Transplantation Service) and is a CI and member of AKction (Aboriginal Kidney Care Improving Outcomes Now) with the University of Adelaide. She is CIA of the MRFF-funded COMPASS project.