Clinical encounters of Australian general practice registrars with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. (10th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomson, Allison; Morgan, Simon; O'Mara, Peter; Tapley, Amanda; Henderson, Kim; van Driel, Mieke; Oldmeadow, Christopher; Ball, Jean; Scott, John; Spike, Neil; McArthur, Lawrie; Magin, Parker
• Is Part Of: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. Volume 40(2016:Apr.)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S75
• Page End: S80
• Publication Date: 2015-08-10
• Subjects: health services -- Indigenous -- family practice -- general practice; Public health -- Australia -- Periodicals; Public health -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical care -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; 362.10993
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12412
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1326-0200

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: General practice is central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care, and this area is a core element of Australian general practice (GP) training. We aimed to describe the prevalence, nature and associations of GP registrar encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis from a cohort study of GP registrars' clinical consultations 2010–2013. Registrars record demographic, clinical and educational details of consecutive patient encounters. Multivariable associations were tested with logistic regression. Results: A total of 592 registrars contributed data from 69, 188 consultations. Encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients comprised 1.0% of consultations. Significant positive associations included younger patient age; new patient to the registrar; lower socioeconomic status of practice location; non‐urban practice setting; more problems managed; and follow‐up arranged. A greater proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients' problems were psychological/social and a lesser proportion were cardiovascular. Consultation duration did not differ between the two groups Conclusions: GP registrars encounter Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients less than do established GPs. Our results suggest possible variability in registrar experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Implications: Our findings will inform training of a culturally and clinically competent workforce in this area.