Implementing Birthing on Country services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families: RISE Framework

Sue Kildea; Sophie Hickey; Lesley Barclay; Sue Kruske; Carmel Nelson; Juanita Sherwood; Jyai Allen; Yu Gao; Renee Blackman; Yvette L Roe

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2019.06.013

Implementing Birthing on Country services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families: RISE Framework

Women Birth. 2019 Oct;32(5):466-475. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2019.06.013. Epub 2019 Jul 4.

Authors

Sue Kildea¹, Sophie Hickey², Lesley Barclay³, Sue Kruske⁴, Carmel Nelson⁴, Juanita Sherwood³, Jyai Allen⁵, Yu Gao⁶, Renee Blackman⁷, Yvette L Roe²

Affiliations

¹ Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Australia; Charles Darwin University, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Australia; Charles Darwin University, Australia.
³ The University of Sydney, Australia.
⁴ The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Australia.
⁵ Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Australia; Griffith University, Australia.
⁶ Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Australia; Charles Darwin University, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service, Brisbane Ltd., Australia; Gidgee Healing, Australia.

PMID: 31279713
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2019.06.013

Abstract

Background: Birthing on Country is an international movement to return maternity services to First Nations communities and community control for improved health and wellbeing.

Question: How can we implement Birthing on Country services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families across Australia?

Methods: We have developed a framework from theoretical, policy and research literature on Birthing on Country; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices from across Australia; reviews exploring programs that have improved outcomes for Indigenous mothers and infants; and the retrospective synthesis of learnings from two empirical studies that have redesigned maternal infant health services and improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Results: The RISE Framework has four pillars to drive important reform: (1) Redesign the health service; (2) Invest in the workforce; (3) Strengthen families; and, (4) Embed Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community governance and control. We present the evidence base for each pillar and practical examples of moving from the standard 'western' model of maternity care towards Birthing on Country services.

Conclusions: Application of the RISE framework to plan, develop and monitor Birthing on Country services is likely to result in short and long-term health gains for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control; Co-design/redesign; Community control; Health service research; Health workforce; Maternal infant health; Midwifery continuity.

MeSH terms

Australia
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Capacity Building*
Female
Health Services, Indigenous / organization & administration*
Health Workforce*
Humans
Infant
Maternal Health Services / organization & administration*
Pregnancy