Improving care pathways for otitis media in First Nations children ...

• Main Author: Nash, Kai
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: Macquarie University 2024
• Subjects: Other education not elsewhere classified; First Nations
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25949/26517529.v1; https://figshare.mq.edu.au/articles/thesis/Improving_care_pathways_for_otitis_media_in_First_Nations_children/26517529/1

Background: Otitis media (OM) disproportionately impacts First Nations children, affecting speech and language development, social and cognitive development and, in turn, education and life outcomes. Ear and hearing care (EHC) programs are critical to early detection and management of OM. Program sustainability depends on health policy, which secures funding and resources. This thesis aimed to; (i) chart approaches, sustainability factors, and areas of focus across the EHC pathway for First Nations EHC programs in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, and (ii) explore utilisation of two tools to appraise Australian EHC policies for Aboriginal children. Method: A scoping review was conducted to identify program core elements in high-income colonial-settler countries. A policy appraisal pilot study was conducted utilising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool and Morestin’s Policy Appraisal Tool to evaluate feasibility of utilising these tools to assess Australian ...