Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health

Pictured above: AOGP Registrars and staff together with Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, who spoke at the recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Block Release in November.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to experience significantly poorer health outcomes than the general population. AOGP sees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health training as a priority to help ‘Close the Gap’. 

Our Registrars’ exposure to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health begins in their first community GP term with their involvement in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training program. During this two-day immersion, Registrars gain an appreciation of the challenges and difficulties faced by their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. 

AOGP has also initiated the integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health throughout AOGP out-of-practice training. AOGP was recently recognised by Cultural Mentors and Cultural Educators at the 2010 GPET conference in Alice Springs, for innovation in this area. Finally, the AOGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health team has been involved in writing cases for AOGP simulated exams. Mindful that both RACGP and ACRRM target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in their curricula, we want to ensure that our Registrars are fully prepared for the FRACGP and/ or FACRRM.

Find out more about AOGP's recently launched Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)