The impact of osteoarthritis on the wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Tracks
Ballroom 2
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
First Nation People
Wellness / Well Being
| Friday, November 15, 2024 |
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Speaker
Dr Penny O'Brien
Research Fellow/coordinator
University Of Melbourne
The impact of osteoarthritis on the wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Abstract
Introduction: Older Aboriginal peoples experience a disproportionate burden of osteoarthritis compared to non-Aboriginal people. To address this inequity, we must first understand the impact of osteoarthritis from an Aboriginal perspective.
Aim: To explore the impact of osteoarthritis on the wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and to assess the utility of the Good Spirit, Good Life framework (GSGL) as a wellbeing measurement tool in this population.
Methods: Research yarns were conducted with 25 Aboriginal adults with self-reported osteoarthritis in Western Australia and Victoria. Data were analysed by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers in consultation with an Aboriginal Community Reference Group. Using framework analysis, data were mapped to the GSGL framework.
Results: Osteoarthritis impacted the ability to perform activities of daily living, caregiving, and to pass on cultural knowledge to family and community, (GSGL domains: Basic Needs; Family and Friends; Elder role). Many participants felt limited in their ability to attend social events and engage in cultural practices such as weaving, seeing Ngangkari (traditional healers) and spending time on Country (GSGL domains: Family and Friends; Culture; Spirituality; Community; Country; Health). Mobility limitations led some participants to feel they were ‘treated like an old person’, which was associated with shame and fear for the future (GSGL domains: Respect; Future Plans). All participants described negative healthcare experiences including racism (GSGL domains: Service and Supports; Safety and Security).
Conclusion: Osteoarthritis has multidimensional impacts on the wellbeing of older Aboriginal peoples. The GSGL framework may be appropriate for adaptation as a wellbeing measurement instrument in this population.
Aim: To explore the impact of osteoarthritis on the wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples and to assess the utility of the Good Spirit, Good Life framework (GSGL) as a wellbeing measurement tool in this population.
Methods: Research yarns were conducted with 25 Aboriginal adults with self-reported osteoarthritis in Western Australia and Victoria. Data were analysed by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers in consultation with an Aboriginal Community Reference Group. Using framework analysis, data were mapped to the GSGL framework.
Results: Osteoarthritis impacted the ability to perform activities of daily living, caregiving, and to pass on cultural knowledge to family and community, (GSGL domains: Basic Needs; Family and Friends; Elder role). Many participants felt limited in their ability to attend social events and engage in cultural practices such as weaving, seeing Ngangkari (traditional healers) and spending time on Country (GSGL domains: Family and Friends; Culture; Spirituality; Community; Country; Health). Mobility limitations led some participants to feel they were ‘treated like an old person’, which was associated with shame and fear for the future (GSGL domains: Respect; Future Plans). All participants described negative healthcare experiences including racism (GSGL domains: Service and Supports; Safety and Security).
Conclusion: Osteoarthritis has multidimensional impacts on the wellbeing of older Aboriginal peoples. The GSGL framework may be appropriate for adaptation as a wellbeing measurement instrument in this population.
Biography
Penny O’Brien is a post-doctoral Research Fellow, Project Coordinator and Qualitative Researcher who currently holds positions at the Department of Surgery and the Department of Medicine and Radiology, University of Melbourne. With a background in public health and social science, Dr O’Brien recently completed her mixed-methods PhD titled ‘Every bone in my body hurts: A culturally secure exploration of osteoarthritis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’. In her position at the Department of Medicine, Dr O’Brien coordinates a National Health and Medical Research Council, Centre for Research Excellence OnTRACK (Teaching, Research And Community Knowledges), a five year national program of research which aims to improve the wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at risk of or living with dementia and their carers. Dr O’Brien is passionate about building capacity in qualitative research, which she does through the delivery of a bi-annual qualitative research methods short courses and workshops, which were developed to build capacity among clinician-researchers to conduct robust qualitative research in the field of implementation science.
Session Chair
Georgina Chelberg
Postdoctoral Fellow
University Of Canberra
