Improving primary care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with rheumatic heart disease: What can I do?

Abstract

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, with devastating impacts on morbidity, mortality and community wellbeing. Research suggests that general practitioners and primary care staff perceive insurmountable barriers to improving clinical outcomes, including the need for systemic change outside their scope of practice. The aim of this article is to identify constructive, micro-level strategies that primary healthcare clinicians can consider, adopt and sustainably use to improve care for people with ARF and RHD in their routine clinical practice. Through skilled clinical care, reflection and culturally safe practices, individual primary healthcare clinicians have substantial capacity to improve care experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities affected by ARF and RHD.