Using participatory action research for heart self care amongst indigenous patients

Authors

  • Bronwyn Fredericks UCQ
  • Robyn A. Clark
  • Mick Adams
  • John Atherton
  • Jo Wu
  • Jill Howie Esquivel
  • Kathy Dracup
  • Natahlia Buitendyk

Keywords:

Heart Failure, iPad, App, self-care, wellbeing, Indigenous, Australia

Abstract

This paper describes the use of participatory action research in the development and trialling of an iPad application designed to provide monitoring and self-care for Indigenous Australians with heart failure. The pilot study research involved health experts, an IT team and Indigenous heart failure patients in three cycles of development and critical reflection. The researchers describe the steps they took to ensure community participation and ownership of the project, which is based on evidence that IT-supported health education can be successful in decreasing re-hospitalisation and improving self-management skills. This participatory action research pilot project is the first demonstration that an iPad application can be developed to provide health care support for Indigenous Australian heart failure patients. 

Author Biographies

Bronwyn Fredericks, UCQ

Dr Bronwyn Fredericks is a Professor and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Chair in Indigenous Engagement at Central Queensland University. She is a member of the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

Robyn A. Clark

Dr Robyn A. Clark is a Professor of Nursing (Acute Care) at Flinders University. She has undertaken research of telemonitored heart failure management in rural and remote Australia and is internationally-recognized for her research into the most effective management of patients with heart failure

Mick Adams

Dr Mick Adams is a Research Fellow with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Canberra, Australia. Mick is a member of the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) and undertaken research with Indigenous peoples

John Atherton

Dr John Atherton is the Director of Cardiology at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Queensland. His clinical and research interests include heart failure pathophysiology, quality of care in patients with acute coronary syndromes and heart failure, cardiac genetics and cardiac rehabilitation. 

Jo Wu

Dr C-J (Jo) Wu is a Lecturer with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her research interests evolved from over 16 years clinical experience in the Coronary Care Unit where she observed differences in the progress of cardiac patients with diabetes. She is an Honorary Research Fellow with the Mater Medical Research Institute, Mater Health Services, and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. 

Jill Howie Esquivel

Dr Jill Howie Esquivel is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing. Her research is inspired by her extensive clinical experience with critical care and cardiology patients, including the testing of interventions that are culturally appropriate for vulnerable populations with heart failure.

Kathy Dracup

Dr Kathy Dracup is a Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing. Her research career has focused on studies related to the care of patients with chronic cardiac disease and the effects of such disease on the family. 

Natahlia Buitendyk

Ms Natahlia Buitendyk is a medical student at the University of Queensland. She worked on this project as a Research Assistant at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

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Published

2013-12-20

How to Cite

Fredericks, B., Clark, R. A., Adams, M., Atherton, J., Wu, J., Esquivel, J. H., Dracup, K., & Buitendyk, N. (2013). Using participatory action research for heart self care amongst indigenous patients. Action Learning and Action Research Journal, 19(2). Retrieved from https://alarj.alarassociation.org/index.php/alarj/article/view/79

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2013): ALAR Journal December 2013

Section

Articles

License

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