COVID-19 Preparedness and Response in Remote First Nations Communities in Queensland
Tracks
Marquis Room | In-Person Only
| Tuesday, July 23, 2024 |
| 1:25 PM - 1:45 PM |
Overview
Dr Kylie Radel, Central Queensland University
Details
Key Presentation Learnings:
1. Pandemic response impacts for regional and remote local governments including hidden costs, mental wellbeing challenges and issues arising from lack of local capacity to respond.
2. Limited nature of pandemic subplans and the need for prompt review and redevelopment that is context specific and culturally appropriate.
3. Ways forward for inclusion of Indigenous knowledges and practices in policy and strategy development.
Speaker
Dr Kylie Radel
Principal Research Fellow, Office Of Indigenous Engagement
Central Queensland University
COVID-19 preparedness and response in remote First Nations communities in Queensland
Abstract
Pandemic management falls under national and state “all-hazard” disaster management (DM) arrangements. Local governments are responsible for managing events through their Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs), supported by district and state level groups. Strategies used by local governments may include community awareness campaigns and education programs in order to prepare for and respond to an event. In the case of a pandemic however, Queensland Health becomes the lead agency, providing specialised pandemic response capacity through regional Hospital and Health Services.
As part of a larger research project to provide understanding of regional and remote First Nations community preparedness, concerns and strategies for addressing COVID-19 in remote settings, interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders including Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and community members around the time of emergence of COVID-19 in their regions. Three key themes emerged during the data collection and analysis phases, with each theme including a number of subthemes. The three key themes are:
* Challenges and issues for rural and remote local government pandemic disaster management
* LDMP pandemic subplan development and use, and
* Costs of resourcing and resulting impost on local governments.
This qualitative study sought to inform community leaders, policy makers and health service providers on adaptation of strategies to address the pandemic in remote First Nations populations settings through inclusion of a local voice.
As part of a larger research project to provide understanding of regional and remote First Nations community preparedness, concerns and strategies for addressing COVID-19 in remote settings, interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders including Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and community members around the time of emergence of COVID-19 in their regions. Three key themes emerged during the data collection and analysis phases, with each theme including a number of subthemes. The three key themes are:
* Challenges and issues for rural and remote local government pandemic disaster management
* LDMP pandemic subplan development and use, and
* Costs of resourcing and resulting impost on local governments.
This qualitative study sought to inform community leaders, policy makers and health service providers on adaptation of strategies to address the pandemic in remote First Nations populations settings through inclusion of a local voice.
Biography
Dr Kylie Radel is Principal Research Fellow with the Office of Indigenous Engagement, CQUniversity. Dr Radel's research concentrations are Indigenous tourism, disaster management in rural and remote Australian communities, Grounded Theory and qualitative research methodologies. She is author on over 60 peer-reviewed publications, has collaborated on over $980,000 in funded research projects, and is currently managing the BMA/CQUniversity partnership program for a total of $3.75 million. Dr Radel has also received three prestigious teaching awards including a national citation for outstanding contributions to student learning, and an international award for excellence in literacy and Indigenous education.
