Do you “Ask the Question”?
The Australian Stroke Alliance is checking-in with health workers around the nation, and we’re asking you to help us improve prehospital stroke care.
By routinely asking “Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?” you can ensure First Nations patients are provided with tailored and culturally appropriate care, while measuring the impact of your services on particular groups.
Join us in our quest.
Are you a neurologist, telehealth physician, paramedic, nurse or working in triage? If you routinely ask patients a series of questions in your administrative and clinical information systems, we hope you will pay special attention to the need to ask the question, “Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?”…”I only ask so I can offer the best care”.
By asking the question, you ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are provided with tailored and culturally appropriate, comprehensive care.
“Cultural safety is essential for clinical and patient safety” – Prof Greg Phillips.
As well, it’s incredibly important to ask so your employer, and researchers including those at the Australian Stroke Alliance, can record this essential information. You are part of our research community and you can help us accurately categorise patients and test outcomes from clinical interventions, particularly in the prehospital setting.
“If you can’t see us, you can’t help us" - Charlotte Dodds-Porter, a researcher with the Darak team
The Australian Stroke Alliance also provides information and support to all Australian Stroke Alliance members engaging with Indigenous people and communities through its Darak program. Learn more about it here.
RESOURCES
We encourage all health workers to take advantage of the educational resources and tools added below.
NATIONAL
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Position and Policy Statement
Action 5.08 | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Additional tool
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Position and Policy Statements
Additional tools
Brochure (306KB PDF) – for staff
Fact sheet (77KB PDF) – for patients
Poster (765KB PDF)
Heart Foundation
Position and Policy Statement
Lighthouse Project e-Learning Info Sheet (PDF)
Additional tools
Asking the Question of Origin poster
Asking the Question of Origin flyer
“Are you (is the patient) of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?” scripted responses
Improving identification case study
Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
Position and Policy Statement
Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (2021)
Additional tool
Cultural Safety – Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Position and Policy Statements
Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian general practice
Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian general practice (PDF)
Additional tools
Five steps towards excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare
Just ask. Identifying Indigenous patients in the general practice setting
Indigenous Eye Health Unit
Position and Policy Statement
Additional tools
STATE AGENCIES
Queensland Health
Position and Policy Statement
Additional tool
Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin? (Video)
*Brochures and Posters: A series of brochures and posters are available for printing.
PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORKS (PHN)
Local Murray PHN (Victoria)
Position and Policy Statement
Additional tools
Why asking the question is important (A4 poster)
Suggested social media posts – for practices’ social media platforms (PDF)
Social media tile – for use with social media posts above (JPG)
West Vic PHN (Victoria)
Position and Policy Statement
Asking the Question (PDF)
Primary Hunter New England & Central Coast Health Network (New South Wales)
Position and Policy Statement
Why do we ask about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?
Northern Sydney Local Health District (New South Wales)
Position and Policy Statement
Thank you to the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners Corporation who have allowed us to use the word Darak as our name.