Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyPAR), management support, and additional resources such as catering andtransport was also important. Our collaborative and flexible PAR approach wasused for small one off events, ongoing programs, and national events like theaction research action learning conference. We found that benefits ofcollaboration and positive outcomes far outweighed the energy taken to beginthe collaborative process. Once collaboration began, it a collective energy wasgenerated that spurred us all on.Recommendations for working togetherPromoting reconciliation in health care, school and work placesMany non-Aboriginal people presume that the need for positive reconciliationbetween Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people has reduced. Conversely, thisresearch found that reconciliation education, programs and projects arerequired to counter ongoing experiences of colonisation, racism, discriminationand exclusion. Reconciliation programs and projects need to be incorporatedinto annual events in health centres, schools and other workplaces.Collaborative processes such as PAR being incorporated into health careMany health professionals identify the need to work collaboratively withcommunity members and professionals from different agencies, but are unsurehow best to do so. PAR processes such as Stinger’s Look, Think, Act or ourLook and Listen, Think and Discuss and Take Action provide an easy tounderstand process that incorporates the main principles of successfulcollaboration.Continuation of Aboriginal Worker research trainingIn 2008 the Aboriginal Health Council of SA began research trainingdeveloped by James Cook University. This provides Aboriginal health,childcare and welfare workers with skills in planning, conducting andevaluating research relevant to their workplace. It has been a very successfulprogram but is only funded for one year. This program should be continued.The need for networking to be supported in health careAn important part of collaboration involves networking. In order to meetcomplex client needs, health professionals need to be able to network with a338