Bundap Marram Durn Durn: Engagement with Aboriginal women experiencing comorbid chronic physical and mental health conditions

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Objective:To explore antecedents of health service engagement and experience among urban AboriginalaaIn this paper, Aboriginal people encompass all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people – Australia's First People. people with comorbid physical and mental health conditions. Methods:Focus groups and interviews were conducted with Aboriginal people who had comorbid health conditions and were accessing Aboriginal and/or mainstream services.bbMainstream services are services operating outside of the Aboriginal community‐controlled health sector and include hospitals, primary health care, community health and a broad range of specialist services. Results:Nineteen participants, all women, were recruited. Participants' personal histories and prior experience of health services affected effective service utilisation. Participants’ service experiences were characterised by long waiting times in the public health system and high healthcare staff turnover. Trusted professionals were able to act as brokers to other clinically and culturally competent practitioners. Conclusions:Many urban Aboriginal women attended health services with multiple comorbid conditions including chronic disease and mental health issues. Several barriers and enablers were identified concerning the capacity of services to engage and effectively manage Aboriginal patients’ conditions. Implications:Results indicate the need to explore strategies to improve health care utilisation by urban Aboriginal women.