Health Systems Research

The Health Systems Research program performs detailed research translation in primary care, community care and hospital settings to improve Aboriginal health outcomes.

Researchers have established monitoring and evaluation systems to guide health system reform and develop, implement, and evaluate novel models of care for a wide range of key health and social issues affecting Indigenous communities.

The program is also responsible for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetic Foot Complications Program.

The Commonwealth Government has funded this project to deliver a program of work to reduce diabetes foot-related complications and amputations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia (SA), the Northern Territory (NT, incl. the Top End and Central Australia), northern Western Australia (WA) and Far North Queensland (FNQ). The delivery of the program occurs through collaborative partnerships of relevant stakeholder organisations and community and through governance and working groups which include relevant national peak body organisations such as Indigenous Allied Health Australia, Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Feet Australia and Foot Forward. The program aims to reduce diabetes-related foot complications and amputations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It will address risk factors and health outcomes by implementing evidence-based initiatives that seek to improve the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of available care, ranging from prevention and management of diabetic foot disease, acute care and rehabilitation for people with amputations. The program further focusses on a range of enabling strategies, including through actively addressing cultural considerations, community learning and awareness, workforce strategies, service accessibility and system integration.