Reference: 2008-007 - Good Medicine Better Health Project Evaluation

Researchers: Linda Klein (National Prescribing Service), Meg Stuart (National Prescribing Service), Michele Robinson (Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia)

Funding: National Prescribing Service

Project summary: There is a need for Aboriginal people to be better informed about how to use their medicines wisely and safely. Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) who work in Aboriginal Health Services are well placed to help their clients with medicine issues. The Good Medicines Better Health project provides training for AHWs about quality use of medicines (QUM), focusing on 3 chronic conditions where medicines use is common – hypertension, diabetes and asthma. The project uses a train-the-trainer strategy. Senior AHWs have become trainers and have begun to train local AHWs at KAMSC. This evaluation will focus on how QUM training has helped local AHWs function more effectively with clients in promoting QUM. A qualitative methodology is proposed with questions focusing on how AHWs respond to QUM training and use the information in their work with clients. A week of evaluation activities is planned at KAMSC, using observational methods to assess the practices of AHWs within the context of their daily work. Observation will be conducted by the AHW trainers or a local worker (to be identified) with which AHWs are comfortable. Only de-identified summary data will be collected for clients who have provided verbal permission for observation. An NPS evaluation staff member will be at KAMSC to discuss the observations, assist with record keeping, conduct discussion groups with AHWs, analyse findings and prepare a report for KAMSC and program stakeholders.

Progress: Completed in 2009