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Victorian Aboriginal Health Service: Young People's Health and Wellbeing

Submitted by Admin on 12 April 2010 - 1:56am

CRCAH Project No: CP206

Administering Organisation:
University of Melbourne

Project Co-Leaders:
Reg Thorpe – Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
Paul Stewart – University of Melbourne

Team Members:
Research Assistant – Joanne Luke
Lisa Thorpe, Kevin Rowley, Bethany White, Jane Goller, Ian Anderson

Contact Details:
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Tel: 03 9419 3000
Email: info@vahs.org.au

Funding Sources:
CRCAH

Program Manager:
Barbara Beacham
Comprehensive Primary Health Care, Health System and Workforce Program

Partners Involved:

  • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
  • University of Melbourne
  • Macfarlane Burnet Centre
  • Institute of Koorie Education – Deakin University

Project Summary:
This project supported the capacity development of an Indigenous Research Assistant through on-the-job learning about data entry, statistical analysis and report writing. This in turn supported the completion of data analysis and presentation of the results of the VAHS Young People’s Project (which was undertaken in a number of rounds). The project formed part of the broader scope of work of the CRCAH Capacity Development Strategy.

Summary of Projected Outcomes:
The main outcomes of the project for the VAHS was:

  • Increased capacity of an Indigenous Research Assistant to analyse data, write-up results and write reports.
  • Dissemination and use of research results associated with a current study.

Summary of Project Implementation:
The 12 month project supported the employment of an Aboriginal person in transferring data from a questionnaire computer program into a statistical analysis program and generating statistics. This person worked alongside someone familiar with the current study. An individualised Professional Development Plan was developed, and skill development in areas identified in the plan were supported by one-on-one mentoring by experienced researchers.

Timeline:
The project milestones were as follows:

  • April 2007 - Research Assistant appointed, and professional development plan completed.
  • July 2007 - Round 1 data published in a report format
  • October 2007 - Round 2 data analysed
  • December 2007- 12-15 year olds’ data analysed
  • March 2008 - Comparative analysis of Round 2 data and 12-15 year olds’ study undertaken and published in a report format.
  • March 2008- Professional development plan evaluated

Publications:
In September 2011, VAHS launched the following publication.  Copies can be obtained from VAHS:

Luke, J., Stewart, P.,Thorpe, R. & Anderson, I. 2011, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Young People's Project: A Study of the Health and Wellbeing of Koori Youth in Melbourne, The Lowitja Institute, Melbourne.

Created 12 Apr 2010, updated 18 Oct 2011