The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (HealthInfoNet) aims to contribute to ‘closing the gap’ in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians by making knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health readily available to the workforce. Two concepts underpin the work of the HealthInfoNet, the first is evidence-based or evidence-informed decision-making, whereby practitioners and policymakers have access to the best available research and other information. The second is knowledge exchange research, which involves making research and other information available in a form that has immediate, practical utility.
Over the past 25 years the HealthInfoNet has collaborated on several projects with external organisations to ensure the health workforce are well informed and are up to date with the most current information and resources to carry out their work roles. One such project is a collaboration with The Healing Foundation that commenced in 2015 to establish a Healing Portal for those people working in healing, justice, education, child protection, community services and family violence. The Healing Portal also highlights the experiences of The Stolen Generations and the development of resources for use in schools for children to learn about the stories of the Stolen Generations.
This presentation will showcase through the theme of Learning from the past to thrive in the future, our stories, our experiences, our solutions, the wealth of knowledge available on the HealthInfoNet and the Healing portal for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce. The presentation will also share how health professionals across Australia can share their experiences and learnings via the HealthInfoNet's social media channels and various newsletters.