Analysis of Social and Emotional Care for Indigenous Children in Australia
Role of Primary Care Providers
Researchers have examined the implementation of recommendations aimed at enhancing social and emotional care for Indigenous children in Australia. Primary care providers, including doctors, nurses, and social workers, are positioned as the first line of health care. These professionals can offer crucial social and emotional support to vulnerable families and at-risk children.
Government Recommendations for Health Checks
The Australian government advises that primary care providers conduct at least one “child health check” annually for each Indigenous child. These standardized assessments include measuring height and weight, discussing oral care, evaluating developmental milestones, and addressing the social and emotional needs of the child. Key emotional needs addressed include the parent-child relationship, behavior, food security, and access to family support services.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite the clarity of these recommendations, their effectiveness remains uncertain. Implementing these guidelines in busy primary care settings presents challenges, and there is limited information on how these protocols are executed across urban, rural, and remote areas.
Audit for Best Practice and Chronic Disease Program (ABCD)
Aims of the ABCD Program
The ABCD program seeks to enhance disease management and prevention within the Indigenous population, focusing on maternal and child mental health. Standard audits from this initiative have yielded data on nearly 15,000 children who visited primary care clinics across Australia.
Study Methodology and Data Collection
Researchers utilized data collected between 2012 and 2014 from the ABCD program to evaluate the delivery of social and emotional well-being programs for young children in primary care settings. The study analyzed 109 primary care centers, including remote, rural, and urban locations, involving 2,466 children aged three months to five years. The findings were published in BMC Health Services Research.
Findings on Social and Emotional Support Implementation
Variability in Service Delivery
The results indicated that families with younger children, particularly those aged three to eleven months, were more likely to receive social and emotional well-being services compared to families with older children. The types of services provided varied widely; approximately 10% of families received assistance related to food security, while 74% received evaluations of child-family interactions. Furthermore, 71% of families benefited from follow-up care.
Geographical Consistency in Service Levels
There were no significant differences in service delivery across geographical locations, as urban, rural, and remote areas exhibited similar levels of social and emotional well-being programs.
Consistency and Effectiveness of Recommendations
Adherence to Guidelines
The researchers concluded that despite the clarity of the recommendations for delivering social and emotional well-being programs for Indigenous Australian children, adherence is inconsistent. Only 55% of families received guidance on intellectual stimulation for their child, and a mere 11% were provided advice on nutrition or food security. Nearly 25% of families did not receive referrals for follow-up related to housing, social support, financial issues, or food security.
Focus on Younger Children
The findings revealed that services were more frequently implemented for families with younger children (under one year) than for those with older children (one to five years). The authors noted that the guidelines’ lack of effective implementation leaves many Indigenous Australian families without essential supportive services to enhance their children’s social and emotional well-being.
Importance of Social and Well-Being Services
Policy Implications
This study is the first to assess the social and emotional well-being services available to this demographic, highlighting significant policy implications. The authors recognize that Indigenous health care settings often operate under challenging conditions, making it difficult to provide all recommended services consistently. Nevertheless, they assert that social and emotional well-being services are crucial and beneficial components of primary care.
Call to Action for Policymakers
The authors urge policymakers to ensure the necessary support is available to consistently implement all services recommended by the ABCD program across all primary care settings.
Reference
Edmond, Karen M., et al. “Quality of social and emotional wellbeing services for families of young Indigenous children attending primary care centers; a cross sectional analysis.” BMC Health Services Research 18.1 (2018): 100.
Written by Lisa Borsellino, BSc.