Integrated Genetic HealthCare

Partners: Central Queensland University, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service (Genetic Health WA), University of New South Wales, Western Australian Department of Health (Office of Population Health Genomics), Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia, Australian National University, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC)

This project aims to evaluate the implementation of the Integrated Genetic HealthCare (IGHC) project, a preferred care model co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and genetic health services.

IGHC describes a suite of workforce development, coordinated care and health promotion strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ATSICCHOs) and genetic health services to work together to increase access to quality of genetic healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. CSIRO’s evaluation project will undertake implementation research to investigate inequalities of access and review and refine strategies to improve access to culturally appropriate, sensitive, and quality genetic health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. CSIRO will leverage local, jurisdictional, national, and international networks to implement and evaluate the IGHC project and create pathways for a coordinated approach to equitably transform primary genomic health care.

This work makes a significant contribution to understanding integrated care; enablers and barriers to sensitive, quality genetic health care; informs health service, policy, and research practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.