Cervical screening for indigenous women: the GP role
Dr Fiona B Millard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service, Mackay, Queensland
Objectives
To describe the role of a GP piloting a project to promote cervical screening, and supporting a continuing service.
Methods
An evaluation of a cervical screening service over five years following an RACGP pilot project promoting Pap tests in an Indigenous community looked at outcomes and trends that related to GP activities.
Principal findings
The GP, as an advocate for Pap tests, connected mainstream funding and supervision to the Indigenous community. The GP used existing resources within the Indigenous community and networked with mainstream services. The resulting links between community, Indigenous and mainstream health services benefited all parties. The Indigenous community created, owned and implemented the pilot project, with the GP in a supportive role. Increased cultural understanding has resulted in responsive mainstream service provision and opportunities for further collaborative projects and services.
Discussion
The pilot project provided an opportunity for the GP to connect the indigenous community and their health service to mainstream services, initiating dialogue, establishing mutual respect and facilitating cooperation that resulted in improved patient services. Improvements in the Pap test service have continued and been sustained after the pilot project ceased due to stronger team work. The community has built trust with the GP and health care team so that women present for pap smear with more confidence and increased understanding.
Implications
The GP working within a community controlled health service can link the community with mainstream services to produce wide ranging benefits. Cooperation and collaboration between health providers builds mutual respect and understanding, with the potential for improved health outcomes for patients and the opportunity to share in further health initiatives.
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Cervical screening for indigenous women: the GP role (416Kb)
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