TT01 Establishing an Ophthalmology Clinic at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
Presenter: An Ly, Victorian Royal Eye and Ear Hospital
In late 2017, an opportunity was identified to establish an Ophthalmology Outreach Clinic to be run at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS). This service would be provided by clinical staff from the Eye and Ear Hospital. It was anticipated that by providing this service in a culturally safe environment, more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people might attend the clinic to have their eyes examined and conditions treated. ABSTRACT
TT02 Evaluating a Nurse and Aboriginal Health Worker Diabetic Retinal Photo Triaging Model
Presenters: Bianca Cochrane-Owers, Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service and Jane Hager, NSW Rural Doctors Network
Learnings and insights gleaned from the implementation of an innovative service delivery project, a nurse and Aboriginal Health Worker diabetic retinal triaging model, and the wider applicability of this model. ABSTRACT
TT03 Clearer Futures: Highlighting the Strategies and Skills Aboriginal Health Workers have and are Developing to Ensure Better Eye Care Outcomes
Presenter: Anne-Marie Banfield, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers with support of their peak bodies are working towards better outcomes for ATSI clients, with many territories and states working closely with their local ACCHO and other key stakeholders on regional specific resources that are cultural sensitive and appropriate. VACCHO and other key bodies are providing training, support and upskilling to ensure that ATSI health worker are confident and competent in providing eye health support which supports are clearer and brighter future for all our clients.
TT04 Student Optometry Placements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services - Perspectives from a Tertiary Institution
Presenter: Dr Shelley Hopkins, Queensland University of Technology
Developing a workforce of capable graduate optometrists passionate about delivering quality eye care in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services is important. Queensland University of Technology has a long-standing history in prioritising optometry student placements within these health services. ABSTRACT
TT05 Who's Looking At You
Presenters: Joshua Tuiono and Vel Radford, Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative
Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC) is an Aboriginal community controlled organisation with a medical clinic that provides services to 2144 people. This population includes 84 people with diabetes, many of whom have complex comorbidities. Community needs and gaps in service provision were examined and through collaborative efforts with the regional eye stakeholder group, a retinal screening day was organised to encourage community engagement and uptake for better eye health outcomes. ABSTRACT
TT06 Visual Characteristics of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
Presenter: Rebecca Cox, Queensland University of Technology
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children had similar rates of eye problems compared to non-Indigenous children attending the same rural school, however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were less likely to attend routine eye examinations. Without interventions such as primary school vision screenings and increased health promotion regarding the importance of routine eye examinations, many of these eye problems will remain undetected, impacting on children’s vision and education. ABSTRACT
TT07 Eye Health Coordination in Queensland’s West
Presenters: Lachlan Rich and Tony Coburn, CheckUp
Provision of eye health to people in 32 communities in the Central West and North West Queensland Hospital and Health Service regions is complex. Eye health mapping reports for each of the regions based on structured interviews with service hosts and providers was carried out, a collaborative initiative of CheckUP, the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Western Queensland PHN. ABSTRACT
TT08 Eye Doctor Mob at the Top End
Presenter: Sanditha Wickramasinghe, Royal Darwin Hospital
An outline of the outreach ophthalmology services of the Top End of Northern Territory from 1st January 2018 to 30th November 2018, which covers visits to Katherine Regional Hospital (KRH), Gove District Hospital (GDH) and 26 other communities. Our work encompassed patient consultations, administering Intravitreal injections and performing surgeries (cataract and pterygium). ABSTRACT
TT09 Working Together to Detect Diabetic Retinopathy with Retinal Photography in Primary Health
Presenters: Dean Heycox, Katungal Aboriginal Community and Medical Services Corp and Christina Ly, Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation
The retinal camera has been integrated into the Katungal Aboriginal Community and Medical Services Corp- Nooma health service. The pathway and integration of the retinal camera into services, how barriers were overcome, including a change in patient management systems and impact on Medicare claiming. Benefits included staff upskill, patient education and monitoring. ABSTRACT
TT10 MBS in 10 Minutes
Presenter: Donna vonBlanckensee, Chronic Disease Program Development
With a focus on chronic disease management we will explore MBS and what item goes where. Developing frameworks that support client care.
TT11 Exploring Non-clinical Support Roles and Functions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health
Presenters: Aryati Yashadhana, Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation and Jennifer Merryweather, The Fred Hollows Foundation
In the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye care, higher ophthalmic attendance rates and improved patient experiences are associated with the presence of support staff. However, research suggests that poor access to socioeconomic, linguistic, cultural, emotional and administrative support continues to create barriers to equitable eye care. ABSTRACT
TT12 Trachoma in the Torres Strait: A Public Health Conundrum
Presenter: Kate Lynch, The University of Queensland, Queensland Health
Trachoma is caused by ocular infection with specific serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and repeated infections can lead to blindness. Recent surveys have identified active trachoma (TF), diagnosed using the World Health Organization simplified five sign grading system, is present at endemic levels in the Torres Strait. These findings are in stark contrast with the experience of local clinicians who do not consider trachoma to be a public health problem. ABSTRACT
TT13 Patient and Provider Perspectives on Cataract Surgery Intensives
Presenters: Eric Turner and Camilla Bullen, The Fred Hollows Foundation
This presentation will provide a better understanding, from the perspectives of patients and services providers, on the quality and outcomes of intensives. It will also identify lessons learned and areas for improvement in the delivery of cataract surgery and eye care more broadly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ABSTRACT
TT14 Training & Tools for Independence
Presenters: Kristine Davis and Jacqueline Johnson, Guide Dogs NT/SA
If you work with individuals who are blind or have low vision, providing information is essential to their independence and quality of life. Blindness and vision impairment can make learning and performing many tasks more challenging. Guide Dogs NT staff customise programs to maximise a client’s independence based on each person’s individual situation, needs, and goals. ABSTRACT
TT15 The Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle Scheme – ‘Strengthening and Sustaining Access’
Presenter: Piers Carozzi, Australian College of Optometry.
The Victorian Aboriginal Spectacles Subsidy Scheme (VASSS) is a Victorian State Government initiative that aims to improve access to high quality visual aids (eg; glasses/spectacles) for Aboriginal Victorians, delivered in conjunction with the Victorian eyecare services. The ACO will provide an interactive session to demonstrate the impact that the VASSS has in contributing to a holistic model of eyecare, and showcase a best practice, culturally appropriate model that continues to contribute to closing the gap in eye health between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.
TT16 Optometry and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Care in 2040
Presenters: Sarah Davies and Skye Cappuccio, Optometry Australia
In 2018, Optometry Australia undertook the Optometry 2040 project, aiming to identify likely and preferred futures for optometry, optometrists, and community eye health. Using proven techniques and in partnership with futures studies experts, Optometry Australia consulted optometrists across the country, and key stakeholders who influence the sector, to identify plausible and preferred futures and the pathways to realising them. ABSTRACT
TT17 Working and Yarning Together: A Collaboration to Support the Knowledge Needs of the Health Workforce
Presenter: Sam Burrow, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
In late 2016, the HealthInfoNet and The Fred Hollows Foundation began collaborating to bring together the latest evidence and information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health through the HealthInfoNet’s Eye Health Portal (www.eyehealth.org.au). Together, these organisations are working to enhance knowledge exchange within the eye health sector. ABSTRACT
TT18 Music to our Eyes
Presenters: Graham Bidstrup and Amy-Lee Shields, Uncle Jimmy Thumbs Up
Uncle Jimmy Thumbs Up! has been delivering education into remote Indigenous communities since 2007. Using music as the engagement tool the Thumbs Up! team encourage the participants (usually school children) to write song lyrics about a chosen topic. In 2015, this engagement method was used to increase awareness of Trachoma and to reinforce the simple methods to help stop the spread of the germ. ABSTRACT
TT19 Informed Consent: Trachoma iTalk
Presenter: Renee Ragonesi, Centre for Disease Control
Obtaining consent with a language and cultural barrier is a difficulty that all non-Indigenous people face when working within Aboriginal communities. The Trachoma team wanted to ensure that we were gaining consent for trachoma treatment. A short information video was created in 6 languages including Arrernt, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, Pintubi-Luritja, Anmatyerr and English and trialled in 2018.
TT20 Outreach Optometry at Congress: The Strength in Partnerships
Presenter: Heather Wilson and Lisa Braedon, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
A collaborative, trusting and respectful relationship between Congress and the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, feedback surveys by Health clinic managers, and optometrists, trip reports from Congress eye coordinator and other local staff. ABSTRACT