Learning from Action (Management of Aboriginal Health Services)

Project: Learning from Action (Management of Aboriginal Health Services)

CRCAH Project No. CP64 Administering organisation School of Medicine, Flinders University Program Manager Barbara Beacham Project Leaders Judith Dwyer (Flinders University) Cindy Shannon (Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council) Team members Shirley Godwin, David Legge, Kirsty Irving Contact details Ms Pam Maslin School of Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042 Tel: 08 8201 7757 Fax: 08 8201 7766 Email: pam.maslin@flinders.edu.au  Funding sources CRC for Aboriginal Health, University of Queensland, La Trobe University, Flinders University Partners involved La Trobe University University of Queensland Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Flinders University

Project summary
This project used an action learning and research approach to develop understanding of management practices in Aboriginal Health Services; to share and build knowledge and skills; and to develop a research agenda.

Summary of projected outcomes
The primary objectives of the Learning from Action project are to deliver:

1. A report summarising the accumulated observations, reflections, deliberations and learnings of the project.
   
2. A structured program of learning and reflection delivered to 12 practising Aboriginal healthcare managers.
   
3. A proposal for a broad program of research and development in governance and management in Aboriginal healthcare.
   
4. An established network of individuals and organisations who will be well placed to participate in further research, development, trialling and evaluation of models, methods and tools for effective governance and management.

Summary of project implementation
This scoping study used a tailored program of action learning to explore the problems and challenges faced by managers in 12 Aboriginal Health Services, who were also engaged as co-researchers. The program uses a combination of three methods:

• learning set method;
• more traditional teaching; and
• action research.

All three methods were integrated into a program of four 2- to 3- day meetings. The stories of management struggle and strategies shared in the learning sets were analysed to generate findings about the development needs of managers and the management challenges facing the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector. Some participants elected to enrol as postgraduate management students and received academic credit for their participation.

Timeline
The project milestones were as follows:

2004            Stage 1: Establishment and mobilisation            

2005            Stage 2: Implementation and data gathering

2006            Synthesis and write-up

 

Documents

Download a copy of the

• Final Report
• Summary Report
• Fact Sheet 

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