Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics

Objective: This research sought to describe a conceptual model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation (ATSICCHO) primary health care, and the fundamental role ATSICCHOs exercise in addressing critical service gaps needed to achieve equitable outcomes for Ab...

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Main Authors: Anna Dawson, Louise Lyons (Jaadwa), Kim Morey, Odette Pearson, Stephen Harfield, Tracey Brand (Eastern Arrente), Karrina DeMasi (Barkindji), Eddie Mulholland (Torres Strait Islands – ERUB), Edoardo Aromataris, Annette Braunack-Mayer, Alex Brown (Yuin)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020025000482
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author Anna Dawson
Louise Lyons (Jaadwa)
Kim Morey
Odette Pearson
Stephen Harfield
Tracey Brand (Eastern Arrente)
Karrina DeMasi (Barkindji)
Eddie Mulholland (Torres Strait Islands – ERUB)
Edoardo Aromataris
Annette Braunack-Mayer
Alex Brown (Yuin)
author_facet Anna Dawson
Louise Lyons (Jaadwa)
Kim Morey
Odette Pearson
Stephen Harfield
Tracey Brand (Eastern Arrente)
Karrina DeMasi (Barkindji)
Eddie Mulholland (Torres Strait Islands – ERUB)
Edoardo Aromataris
Annette Braunack-Mayer
Alex Brown (Yuin)
author_sort Anna Dawson
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This research sought to describe a conceptual model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation (ATSICCHO) primary health care, and the fundamental role ATSICCHOs exercise in addressing critical service gaps needed to achieve equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Methods: ATSICCHO representatives governed the research process. A sequential mixed-method approach for articulating the ATSICCHO model drew upon scoping review evidence, case study evidence, and expert consultations. Results: Culture is central to ATSICCHO service delivery and entwined within nine discrete characteristics: self-determination and empowerment, community control and community participation, culturally appropriate and skilled workforce, holistic health care, accessible health services, flexible and responsive approach to care, relationship building and advocacy, comprehensive health promotion and continuous quality improvement. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance, leadership and workforce are common enablers, and challenges often relate to funding, workforce recruitment and building relationships with multiple partners. Conclusion: ATSICCHOs exemplify culturally-centred, comprehensive and accessible primary health care and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Implications for Public Health: This model can guide the expansion of the ATSICCHO sector and offer comprehensive primary health care insights to the broader Australian health system.
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spelling doaj-art-fd8d27fdf5a747d99b36e26c628c34442025-08-20T05:04:50ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02002025-08-0149410026710.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100267Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristicsAnna Dawson0Louise Lyons (Jaadwa)1Kim Morey2Odette Pearson3Stephen Harfield4Tracey Brand (Eastern Arrente)5Karrina DeMasi (Barkindji)6Eddie Mulholland (Torres Strait Islands – ERUB)7Edoardo Aromataris8Annette Braunack-Mayer9Alex Brown (Yuin)10Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, AustraliaVictorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Australia; The Kids Research Institute Australia, AustraliaWardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, AustraliaWardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Australia; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, AustraliaWardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Australia; Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and School of Public Health, University of Queensland, AustraliaDerbarl Yerrigan Health Service, AustraliaThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Australia; Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, AustraliaMiwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Territory, AustraliaJBI, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, AustraliaSchool of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Australia; Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, AustraliaWardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Australia; The Kids Research Institute Australia, Australia; Australian National University, Australia; Correspondence to: College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, AustraliaObjective: This research sought to describe a conceptual model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation (ATSICCHO) primary health care, and the fundamental role ATSICCHOs exercise in addressing critical service gaps needed to achieve equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Methods: ATSICCHO representatives governed the research process. A sequential mixed-method approach for articulating the ATSICCHO model drew upon scoping review evidence, case study evidence, and expert consultations. Results: Culture is central to ATSICCHO service delivery and entwined within nine discrete characteristics: self-determination and empowerment, community control and community participation, culturally appropriate and skilled workforce, holistic health care, accessible health services, flexible and responsive approach to care, relationship building and advocacy, comprehensive health promotion and continuous quality improvement. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance, leadership and workforce are common enablers, and challenges often relate to funding, workforce recruitment and building relationships with multiple partners. Conclusion: ATSICCHOs exemplify culturally-centred, comprehensive and accessible primary health care and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Implications for Public Health: This model can guide the expansion of the ATSICCHO sector and offer comprehensive primary health care insights to the broader Australian health system.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020025000482Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesprimary health careservice deliveryAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health OrganisationsAboriginal governance
spellingShingle Anna Dawson
Louise Lyons (Jaadwa)
Kim Morey
Odette Pearson
Stephen Harfield
Tracey Brand (Eastern Arrente)
Karrina DeMasi (Barkindji)
Eddie Mulholland (Torres Strait Islands – ERUB)
Edoardo Aromataris
Annette Braunack-Mayer
Alex Brown (Yuin)
Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
primary health care
service delivery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations
Aboriginal governance
title Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
title_full Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
title_fullStr Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
title_full_unstemmed Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
title_short Ways of working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations: describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
title_sort ways of working in aboriginal and torres strait islander community controlled health organisations describing a conceptual model of comprehensive primary healthcare characteristics
topic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
primary health care
service delivery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations
Aboriginal governance
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020025000482
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