Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing.

Impact summary

In 2017, I published my PhD findings. This research highlighted the essence of the students’ journey in Indigenous Australian cultural competence education and influences in students’ learning and development of Indigenous Australian cultural competence, providing a model of student learning in this important area. The research put forward a unique model of learning Indigenous Australian cultural competence in the discipline of nursing. From the PhD, an interest was generated from Oxford University Press to publish the model in the form of a textbook. After consulting with Aboriginal community members and colleagues a textbook proposal was put forward and accepted by Oxford University Press. This resulted in a published textbook:  Biles, B., & Biles, J. (Eds.).(2019). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing. Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing is edited by Associate Professor Brett Biles and Dr. Jessica Biles and addresses the need to reorient mainstream health to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ways. It focuses on the philosophy of Indigenous Australian cultural competence, where the onus of responsibility is not on the patient but instead on the clinician. By providing students with the skills of reconciliation, cultural competence, and cultural safety it aims to strengthen health care delivery and ensure that all Australians have equal and equitable access to healthcare. Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, this book caters to nursing, midwifery, and allied health courses. Each chapter is written by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and a non-Indigenous author, representing interprofessional collaboration.

The National textbook is held in over 66 libraries in Australia [NLA Trove] and 87 libraries worldwide [Worldcat].

The textbook has generated the following key outcomes:
1. Online YouTube series
2. Community engagement event- Textbook launch
3. The opportunity for community members be author chapters of the text
4. Community members sharing their lived experiences in health via the online published YouTube
5. Philanthropic donations (textbook royalties) to communities in NSW
6. Collaboration between CSU and Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS)

The depth and breadth of current industry and community partners demonstrates my ability commitment to work with communities to produce ground-up initiatives. The extensive links with local health districts and Aboriginal Health Services has enabled community driven opportunities underpinning the national textbook and YouTube series.  

Research and engagement activities leading to impact

Underpinning the textbook was the thesis titled: Undergraduate nursing and Indigenous Australian cultural competence which generated a model of student learning in Indigenous Australian cultural competence. The findings were important for end users of the textbook.
The PhD findings were presented at a conference in Adelaide (refer to evidence) in academics teaching cultural competence and Oxford University Press Editors were attending. The model of learning was a new approach and generated significant conversation from attendees that led to the suggestion that a textbook be considered. Therefore, a pitch to Oxford university press was held and was successful enabling the textbook to progress. Authorship stemmed from four universities and Aboriginal community members.
Engagement by the Editors with Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service across a 9-year period supported the building and maintaining relationships which led to AWAHS staff and community members as authors in the text. In addition, AWAHS volunteered space for the filming of the online YouTube stories. Eight people from Albury Wodonga community were filmed across five case studies presented as a YouTube series.

Research outputs associated with the impact

Aboriginal & Torres StraitIslander Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing addresses the need to reorient mainstream health to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ ways. It focuses on the philosophy of Indigenous Australian cultural competence, where the onus of responsibility is not on the patient but instead on the clinician. Shifting the narrative of responsibility is imperative in working with communities. The textbook was supported by Oxford University Press (OUP) and AWAHS. OUP were able to provide a small pocket of funding to employ a First Nations film crew. Authorship involved 15 academics and 12 community members. Authorship time and event hire to hold a book launch inviting all community members was donated. Royalties received by Editors have been donated to community.

Researcher involvement

Researcher involvement was across all the key outcomes related to the impact story:
1. Online YouTube series- In the filming process, I was a co- producer, seeking and engaging participants; asking questions during the filming; Hiring and working closely with a First Nations business to film the case studies; working with Oxford University Press to produce authentic stories.
2. Community engagement event- In collaboration with the Co-Editor, I organised a textbook launch for community members to celebrate the work. The launch was attended by AWAHS staff, CSU staff and community members. The event was hosted at a local art gallery who sponsored the event (refer to invitation as attachment)
3. The opportunity for community members be author chapters of the text- In collaboration with the co-Editor I liaised and organised community members to work with authors across institutions.
4. Community members sharing their lived experiences in health via the online published YouTube- In collaboration with the co-Editor I liaised and organised community members to be filmed.
5. Philanthropic donations (textbook royalties) to communities in NSW- In collaboration with the Co-Editor, I actively sought opportunities to donate royalties to community members (refer to email evidence and Facebook posts).
6. Collaboration between CSU and AWAHS - liaising with university and community authors. Ensuring awarene and adhering to local cultural protocols.

These outcomes were equally shared between the two Co-Editors- Dr Jessica Biles and Associate Professor Brett Biles (UNSW).

Outcomes of research leading to impact

The textbook and YouTube videos have provided unique and authentic approaches to the way we teach culture to nursing, allied health, and medical students. The original model of learning generated by the PhD has generated over 800 downloads. While the textbook is held in over 66 libraries in Australia [NLA Trove] and 87 libraries worldwide [Worldcat]. Most importantly, the case studies that share true and real stories of Aboriginal people’s experiences of healthcare have generated over 4.1K views worldwide.

By placing authentic experiences at the core of learning, they have generated impact with learners across the world.

Beneficiaries of the impact

Beneficiaries include undergraduate nursing, medical and allied health students/learners across the world. Several institutions have prescribed the textbook such as University of New South Wales and Charles Sturt University (refer to testimonial as an attachment).
In addition, Aboriginal communities have benefited from the donation of textbook royalties (refer to email evidence).

Details of the impact achieved

Biles, B., &Biles, J. (Eds.). (2019). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ healthand wellbeing. Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand. The textbookis held by 66 libraries in Australia [NLA Trove] and 87 libraries worldwide[Worldcat].
It is prescribed by multiple universities and TAFEs across Australia in the discipline of nursing, allied health and medicine (Booktopia, Swinburne Uni, Kangan TAFE, Sunraysia TAFE, JR Medical Books (ACU), Zookal, Amazon, School Locker – ACU, OUPUK & OUPUS).
The book is also featured on the Oxford University Press Health hub www.oup.com.au/healthand is a featured promotion during NAIDOC week. 
The audience of the textbook and videos are predominantly Australian, through hardcopy, e: book and ProQuest licence. However, evidence of international impact via sales and worldwide library holds (87).

Feedback from lecturers and students indicate that the textbook and videos have shown to impact their cultural capability development. For example, one lecturer says "I also wanted to take a moment to acknowledge both you and Brett for your insightful book. It is listed as the recommended reference for OCC415. The book is being referred to the students I am teaching and is a frequently the “go to” text for them!" (refer to email evidence)

The donation of royalties has enabled women’s and men’s groups to purchase materials to support local cultural craft activities. (Please refer to email correspondence confirming donations). 

Impact date	2019
Category of impact	Other Impact
Impact level	International