Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet is an internet resource that collects, collates and interprets evidence-derived knowledge on Australian Indigenous health. It then makes this knowledge readily accessible via the internet to inform policy, practice, research, teaching and general community understanding.[1][2] Its purpose in doing this is to contribute to improving the health of Indigenous Australians.[3]

The work of the HealthInfoNet is succinctly described by Professor Conigrave "It draws together a wide range of information and resources in relation to Indigenous health in Australia into an easily accessible format. It is a field that’s otherwise challenging to find information in, as so much is in the grey literature rather than in refereed journals." [4]

History

The HealthInfoNet was established in September 1997 as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse.[5] It developed into a more comprehensive web-based resource for knowledge about Indigenous health and was renamed the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet in 2000 to reflect this broader purpose”[6] Dr Wooldridge, the then Federal Health Minister, said at the launch of the renamed HealthInfoNet “In a truly innovative way, even by international standards, the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet uses the Internet to enable people from all around Australia and overseas to share readily ideas on what health interventions work, find out where resources are available and discuss how best practice health care can be provided.” [7]

Funding

Core funding for the HealthInfoNet is provided by the Australian Department of Health through Edith Cowan University.

Target audience

The HealthInfoNet defines its target audience broadly as all people working, studying or interested in Australian Indigenous health.[8]

Two groups of the Australian Indigenous health workforce are particularly catered for in the sections Indigenous Health Workers[9] and Indigenous environmental health practitioners. There are also sections for many other workforce groups including SEWB and AOD workers. There are also over 15 online yarning places to keep workers connected.

Governance

HealthInfoNet is part of Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Its work is guided by a national Advisory Board of 11 members who are prominent in the field of Australian Indigenous health.[10] The HealthInfoNet also has a number of topic specific reference groups who meet regularly and a national network of honorary consultants who have expertise in various areas of Indigenous health.[11]

The resource

The resource provides comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-derived information about Australian Indigenous health. The website has a number of component parts including:

The HealthInfoNet also supports a number of yarning places (online networks also known as 'communities of practice') that enable people interested in Australian Indigenous health to share information, knowledge and experience[12][13] about specific health topics.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Australian Policy Online. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  2. ↑ Masters, K. (19 October 2009). Update on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Retrieved 11 November 2009 from Ageing, Work and Health Blog.
  3. ↑ Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services. & Edith Cowan University. School of Nursing and Public Health. & National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse. & Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (1997) Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet [electronic resource] National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse, Joondalup, W.A. : http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/
  4. ↑ Crokey. (19 August 2009). For those with an interest in Indigenous health… Retrieved 11 November 2009 from the Crikey Health Blog.
  5. ↑ Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services. & Edith Cowan University. School of Nursing and Public Health. & National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse. & Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. (1997) Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet [electronic resource] National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Clearinghouse, Joondalup, W.A. : http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/
  6. ↑ The Department of Health and Aging (4 December 2000). "Wooldridge launches new-look indigenous health website". Media release. http://www.aodgp.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2000-mw-mw20127.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  7. ↑ World summit on the information society. World summit on the information society. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  8. ↑ Thomson, N. Midford, R. (2008), Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: bridging the gap between research and practice and policy in Indigenous health", Conference Paper. 10th National Rural Health Conference
  9. ↑ Burns J (2009) Building an Indigenous Health Worker Section on the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal 33;(1)
  10. ↑ Advisory board for Indigenous health set up Friday, 3 October 2008
  11. ↑ Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin. Peer review process. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  12. ↑ Community builders NSW. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  13. ↑ Edith Cowan University. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  14. ↑ Rehill, L (April 2009) "Web reviews: Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet." DrugInfo Newsletter

Further information

  • Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au)
  • Thomson, Neil. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: Knowledge Transfer to assist Decision Making in Indigenous Health [online]. In: Power of Knowledge: The Resonance of Tradition, The; pages: 141-153. Taylor, Luke (Editor). Canberra, ACT: Aboriginal Studies Press, 2005.
  • The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: a model of knowledge sharing for the health sector by Thomson N (2003) 7th National Rural Health Conference 4 March 2003. Conference presentation
  • Injury Control Council of Western Australia - Autumn 2009 Newsletter
  • Radio interview by Tiga Bayles on ‘Let’s Talk’ 22 October 2009 for 98.9 fm in Brisbane (http://989fm.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29)


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