Data from: Chiropractors` experience and readiness to work in Indigenous Australian Communities: a preliminary cross-sectional survey to explore preparedness, perceived barriers and facilitators for chiropractors practising cross-culturally

Background

Indigenous people make up approximately 3% of the total Australian population and score poorer on all health indices, including back pain. Chiropractors are well placed to alleviate back pain, yet there is no research that considers chiropractors’ readiness to treat Indigenous patients. This study explores chiropractors` experience working with Indigenous Australians, describes perceived barriers and facilitators to chiropractors’ participation in Indigenous Healthcare and their willingness to engage in cultural competency training.

Methods

This study used a non-representative cross-sectional design and a convenience sample. Participants were recruited via email invitation to complete an online survey and encouraged to send the invitation on to colleagues. A 17-item online-survey measured demographic data, perceived barriers and facilitators related to caring for Indigenous Australians, participants` level of comfort when working in Indigenous health, and their willingness to participate in cultural competency programs to enhance their skills, knowledge and cultural capacity when engaging with Indigenous Australians. Analysis of the data included descriptive statistics as well as thematic analysis of qualitative free text.

Results

One hundred and twenty-five chiropractors participated in the survey. The majority of participants (86%, n = 108) were employed in private practice. 62% of respondents were members of the Chiropractors' Association of Australia, 41% were Chiropractic and Osteopathic College of Australasia members. 60% of chiropractors considered that they had, or do treat Indigenous patients yet only 4% of respondents asked their patients if they identified as Indigenous. A majority of participants expressed a high level of ‘comfort’ or confidence in working with Indigenous people while only 17% of respondents had undertaken some form of cultural proficiency training. A majority of respondents (62.7%, n = 74) expressed an interest in working with Indigenous Australians and a majority (91%, n = 104) were willing to participate in training to develop Indigenous cultural competency.

Conclusions

The study points to a need for chiropractors to have access to cultural proficiency training in order to develop the capability and confidence to engage respectfully with their Indigenous patients. This preliminary study has provided the researchers with valuable insights aiding the development and implementation of an Indigenous cultural proficiency program for chiropractors.

Linked open access related to data also includes Figshare link features a Survey Instrument used in data gathering.

背景
原住民（Indigenous People）约占澳大利亚总人口的3%，在包括腰痛在内的各项健康指标上均表现较差。脊医（Chiropractors）在缓解腰痛方面具备显著优势，但目前尚无研究探讨脊医接诊原住民患者的准备情况。本研究旨在探讨脊医与澳大利亚原住民共事的经历，梳理脊医参与原住民医疗保健工作所面临的感知障碍与促进因素，以及其参与文化胜任力（Cultural Competency）培训的意愿。

方法
本研究采用非代表性横断面设计与便利抽样方法。研究对象通过电子邮件邀请参与在线调查，并可将邀请转发给同行。本研究采用包含17个题项的在线问卷，收集人口统计学数据、照护澳大利亚原住民相关的感知障碍与促进因素、研究对象在原住民医疗领域工作的舒适度水平，以及其参与文化胜任力培训项目以提升与澳大利亚原住民接触时的技能、知识与文化能力的意愿。数据分析涵盖描述性统计分析与定性自由文本的主题分析。

结果
共有125名脊医参与了本次调查。大部分参与者（86%，n=108）就职于私人诊所。62%的受访者为澳大利亚脊医协会（Chiropractors' Association of Australia）会员，41%为澳大利亚脊骨神经与骨科医学院（Chiropractic and Osteopathic College of Australasia）会员。60%的脊医表示曾接诊或目前仍接诊原住民患者，但仅有4%的受访者会询问患者是否为原住民身份。大部分参与者表示在与原住民共事时拥有较高的“舒适度”或自信心，但仅有17%的受访者接受过某种形式的文化精通（Cultural Proficiency）培训。大部分受访者（62.7%，n=74）表示有意愿与澳大利亚原住民共事，且绝大多数（91%，n=104）愿意参与培训以提升原住民文化胜任力。

结论
本研究表明，脊医有必要接受文化精通培训，以提升以尊重方式与原住民患者接触的能力与自信心。本初步研究为研究人员开发并推行面向脊医的原住民文化精通培训项目提供了宝贵的见解。

与本研究数据相关的开放获取资源还包含Figshare平台上用于数据收集的调查工具链接。