Yarn with me: Implementing Clinical Yarning in the Midwest

Training in an innovative framework designed to improve communication with Aboriginal patients is to be rolled out across the Midwest.

The Clinical Yarning model was developed in 2016 by a team from the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and The University of Western Australia and based on the research yarning framework developed by Professor Dawn Bessarab from the UWA Medical School.

WACRH Clinical Yarning project lead Associate Professor Ivan Lin said the framework had shown promising results in pilot tests, with increased clinician knowledge, confidence and skills communicating with Aboriginal patients.

“Built upon in-place cultural learning, Clinical Yarning equips clinicians with practical skills to better connect with Aboriginal patients and integrate cultural understanding into their practice,” Dr Lin said.

The three-year initiative, funded by the Department of Health's Future Health Research Innovation Fund, aims to tackle communication issues documented between health practitioners and Aboriginal patients.

“The roll-out of face-to-face Clinical Yarning training to WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Midwest allied health and medical staff will support improved communication between healthcare clinicians and Aboriginal patients,” Dr Lin said.

“Our goal is to bridge cultural gaps and enhance the effectiveness of care.”

Complemented by an eLearning program, the training provides a comprehensive approach to fostering culturally sensitive communication between clinician and patient.  It can include complimentary eLearning and face to face sessions, or entirely face to face learning.

WACHS Midwest Executive Director Ron Wynn said WA Country Health Service supported the valuable rollout of training to its staff.

“We are excited to see how this training will impact patient experiences across the Midwest,” Mr Wynn said.

“We encourage all of our clinical health workers including allied health, nursing, medical and support staff to take up this training and build on our commitment to health services that are culturally welcoming, responsive and safe.

WACHS Regional Aboriginal Health Consultant Rani Randall said the team was looking forward to the Clinical Yarning training rollout to staff and to supporting Aboriginal healthcare in the region.