Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects

Introduction and Aims: To review the results of five research projects commissioned to enhance alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians, and to highlight arising from them. Design and Methods: Drafts of the papers were workshopped by project representatives, final papers reviewed and results s...

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Main Authors: Gray, Dennis, Wilson, Amanda, Allsop, Steve, Saggers, Sherry, Wilkes, Edward, Ober, C.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22195
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author Gray, Dennis
Wilson, Amanda
Allsop, Steve
Saggers, Sherry
Wilkes, Edward
Ober, C.
author_facet Gray, Dennis
Wilson, Amanda
Allsop, Steve
Saggers, Sherry
Wilkes, Edward
Ober, C.
author_sort Gray, Dennis
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Introduction and Aims: To review the results of five research projects commissioned to enhance alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians, and to highlight arising from them. Design and Methods: Drafts of the papers were workshopped by project representatives, final papers reviewed and results summarised. Lessons arising were identified and described. Results: While the impact of the projects varied, they highlight the feasibility of adapting mainstream interventions in Aboriginal Australian contexts. Outcomes include greater potential to: screen for those at risk; increase community awareness; build capacity and partnerships between organisations; and co-ordinate comprehensive referral networks and service provision. Discussion: Results show a small investment can produce sustainable change and positive outcomes. However, to optimise and maintain investment, cultural difference needs to be recognised in both planning and delivery of alcohol interventions; resources and funding must be responsive to and realistic about the capacities of organisations; partnerships need to be formed voluntarily based on respect, equality and trust; and practices and procedures within organisations need to be formalised. Conclusions: There is no simple way to reduce alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal communities. However, the papers reviewed show that with Aboriginal control, modest investment and respectful collaboration, service enhancements and improved outcomes can be achieved. Mainstream interventions need to be adapted to Aboriginal settings, not simply transferred. The lessons outlined provide important reflections for future research.
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publishDate 2014
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-221952019-02-19T05:35:00Z Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects Gray, Dennis Wilson, Amanda Allsop, Steve Saggers, Sherry Wilkes, Edward Ober, C. screening treatment alcohol brief intervention Aboriginal Introduction and Aims: To review the results of five research projects commissioned to enhance alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians, and to highlight arising from them. Design and Methods: Drafts of the papers were workshopped by project representatives, final papers reviewed and results summarised. Lessons arising were identified and described. Results: While the impact of the projects varied, they highlight the feasibility of adapting mainstream interventions in Aboriginal Australian contexts. Outcomes include greater potential to: screen for those at risk; increase community awareness; build capacity and partnerships between organisations; and co-ordinate comprehensive referral networks and service provision. Discussion: Results show a small investment can produce sustainable change and positive outcomes. However, to optimise and maintain investment, cultural difference needs to be recognised in both planning and delivery of alcohol interventions; resources and funding must be responsive to and realistic about the capacities of organisations; partnerships need to be formed voluntarily based on respect, equality and trust; and practices and procedures within organisations need to be formalised. Conclusions: There is no simple way to reduce alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal communities. However, the papers reviewed show that with Aboriginal control, modest investment and respectful collaboration, service enhancements and improved outcomes can be achieved. Mainstream interventions need to be adapted to Aboriginal settings, not simply transferred. The lessons outlined provide important reflections for future research. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22195 10.1111/dar.12137 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. fulltext
spellingShingle screening
treatment
alcohol
brief intervention
Aboriginal
Gray, Dennis
Wilson, Amanda
Allsop, Steve
Saggers, Sherry
Wilkes, Edward
Ober, C.
Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title_full Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title_fullStr Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title_full_unstemmed Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title_short Barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among Aboriginal Australians: A thematic review of five research projects
title_sort barriers and enablers to the provision of alcohol treatment among aboriginal australians: a thematic review of five research projects
topic screening
treatment
alcohol
brief intervention
Aboriginal
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22195