Ms Leiana Hewett1
1NT HEALTH, Darwin, Australia, 2MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH, Darwin, Australia, 3CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY, Darwin, Australia, 4KIDNEY HEALTH AUSTRALIA, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
‘Bio to come’
Abstract:
Background:
First Nations people in the Northern Territory (NT) are disproportionately affected by end stage kidney disease requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Patients continue to identify the need for culturally and clinically safe kidney care closer to home. Ongoing professional workforce shortages alongside the increasing demand and cost of KRT continue to impact on how and where care is delivered.
Aim:
To develop a new unregulated First Nations workforce role supported by bespoke on the job competency-based training to assist health professionals in the delivery of KRT in regional, rural and remote areas of the NT.
Methods:
The model for improvement will be used to guide implementation through Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles across selected renal service sites. Data sources will include baseline and follow up staff surveys, patient feedback, process mapping, and pre post measures. Key outcome measures include patient satisfaction with care, perceptions of renal service cultural safety and program completion rates.
Results:
It is anticipated that KSWs will enhance cultural safety and improve patient satisfaction with care, while also providing meaningful employment and career pathways for First Nations people. The role is expected to enable health professionals to work to the top of their scope of practice and improve access to kidney care.
Conclusion:
The KSW project is an innovative workforce and training initiative with the potential to increase access to kidney care closer to home for First Nations patients. If successful, the project can improve cultural safety, patient engagement and workforce shortages within renal services in the NT.