Aboriginal patients discharge themselves from hospitals at a rate 10 times higher than non-Indigenous patients.
4.9% of Aboriginal patients discharge against medical advice compared to 0.4% of non-Aboriginal patients.
7.5% of Aboriginal patients leave emergency departments without being seen, compared to 2.7% of non-Aboriginal patients.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Institutional Racism: Highlighted as a significant issue within the healthcare system.
Cultural Barriers: Discomfort due to language barriers and cultural differences.
Fear and Isolation: Feelings of fear and isolation among remote area patients.
Challenges Faced by Aboriginal Patients
Lack of Support: Changes to the WA Government's Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) have led to less support for regional patients.
Patients traveling for medical appointments often lack family support.
Difficulty in adjusting to an unfamiliar mainstream hospital environment.
Rehospitalization: Patients often need to be re-hospitalized soon after discharge without proper treatment.
Language Barriers: The need for interpreters to assist patients from remote areas.
Recommendations
Improve cultural training for healthcare staff to address institutionalized racism.
Enhance support systems for Aboriginal patients traveling from remote areas.
Implement better patient communication strategies to reduce fear and isolation.
Expert Opinions
David Russell-Weisz: Director General of Health in WA; emphasized the impact of cultural capability on patient treatment outcomes.
Maureen Carter: CEO of Nindilingarri Cultural Health Service; noted the impact of PATS changes on patient support.
Michelle Nelson-Cox: Chair of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA; stressed the importance of interpreters.
Conclusion
Aboriginal patients face significant challenges in the healthcare system leading to high rates of self-discharge and potential medical complications. There is a need for systemic changes to improve support and outcomes for Indigenous patients.