This seminar presents findings from Heather’s research on optimising the Medicare Item 715 Health Assessment to improve STI uptake for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. The health assessment can be delivered in any primary care setting, but uptake appears to be much higher in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. A comprehensive STI test is a recommended inclusion for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 – 35, but prior to this research, the level to which STI testing has been integrated into the health assessment had not been evaluated.
Heather will present findings from qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research exploring the perspectives of ACCHS staff on integration of STI testing into routine care; the uptake of STI testing within the health assessment across a national network of ACCHS; and the evaluation of a co-created systems change to increase STI testing within the health assessment.
Speaker Bio:
Dr Heather McCormack is a Scientia Research Fellow at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. She has worked in research, program management, health promotion and communications roles in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector for over 15 years and her industry career grounds her research in an understanding of practical applications in real-world scenarios. She has particular interests in health equity, strengths-based approaches, and optimising sexual health services and health promotion initiatives to improve accessibility and acceptability to diverse populations.
