Support Indigenous Workforce: Understanding how employers, universities and governments can improve

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is surveying its members on the impact of COVID-19 on their education, training and professional practice.

Its findings to date hold important lessons for educators, employers and governments on how they can better support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce and, ultimately, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, particularly in times of disruption and public health emergencies.

OTA echo the sentiments highlighted, particularly the addressing of barriers in the transition to telehealth, increased workload, practitioner burnout and the added complexities of providing culturally safe services. OTA encourages our members to be culturally competent and consider the impact of  trauma and its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through our online learning programs. Providing high quality student placements continues to be raised.

IAHA will publish the full results of the research project later in 2021 and believe this research will highlight how we can better support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce, particularly in times of disruption and public health emergencies.

To understand more about the work IAHA are undertaking  and  to read more about the research, response strategies and opportunities click here.

OTA is a corporate member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia