A collaborative project is being undertaken between the Nurse Practitioner led chronic kidney disease team and the Indigenous Wellness Centre in Bundaberg to screen the local indigenous population, identify risk factors and implement sustainable management strategies. The screening was undertaken by indigenous health care workers(IHCW) that have recently been recruited to work for the Indigenous Wellness Centre. The Nurse practitioner and CNC identified the risk factors and discussed with the clients and other health care workers strategies that need to be used to manage these risk factors.
Currently results from the initial screening of 45 people have been identified and the strategies relating to addressing the risk factors are currently being developed.
The rationale for the screening and management strategies will be discussed within the context of Indigenous health in Australia. One key strategy that has been identified is to continue with the training and education of IHCW's utilising resources such as KCAT education programs.
Recommendations on how we aim to continue a sustainable approach to management of kidney health within the indigenous populations of our area will also be covered.