Exploration of Beliefs and Experiences of Chronic Pain in Aboriginal People on Kamilaroi Country
Tracks
Kookaburra Room: In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
| Monday, October 20, 2025 |
| 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM |
| Kookaburra Room (M3) |
Overview
Dr Hema Rajappa, Vicki Croker & Deanna Holley-White, Hunter New England Health
Presenter
Ms Vickie Croker
Manager and Clinical nurse consultant
Hunter New England Health
Exploration of Beliefs and Experiences of Chronic Pain in Aboriginal People on Kamilaroi Country
Presentation Overview
Objectives: To explore the beliefs, expectations and experiences of chronic pain among Aboriginal people on Kamilaroi country to co-design a culturally safe chronic pain education program
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Biography
Bio not provided
Ms Deanna Holley-White (Kamilaroi)
Administrative officer
Hunter New England Health
Exploration of Beliefs and Experiences of Chronic Pain in Aboriginal People on Kamilaroi Country
Presentation Overview
Objectives: To explore the beliefs, expectations and experiences of chronic pain among Aboriginal people on Kamilaroi country to co-design a culturally safe chronic pain education program
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Biography
Deanna is a proud Kamilaroi woman and Traditional Owner who has known firsthand the adversities and inequities that have attempted to crush Aboriginal people since colonisation. Deanna led and advised on cultural aspects of the study and is actively involved in improving access to culturally appropriate chronic pain education for Aboriginal peoples.
Dr Hema Rajappa
Specialist Pain Medicine Physician
Hunter New England Health
Exploration of Beliefs and Experiences of Chronic Pain in Aboriginal People on Kamilaroi Country
Presentation Overview
Objectives: To explore the beliefs, expectations and experiences of chronic pain among Aboriginal people on Kamilaroi country to co-design a culturally safe chronic pain education program
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Design: Indigenist methodology informed this qualitative study. Data were collected in yarning sessions held with 12 Aboriginal participants with strong connections to Kamilaroi Country including elders, health workers, educators and community leaders. All investigators were actively involved in the thematic analysis.
Results: Six themes were identified- beliefs surrounding the cause, treatment and impact of pain; beliefs around response to pain; strategies to manage pain; experiences of western health system; building trust and cultural safety; and development of culturally safe pain education. Four subthemes were atmosphere, setting, content and facilitator attitudes/behaviours.
Discussion: A holistic view of pain and illness was expressed underpinned by a key belief that all domains of life are interconnected and influence one another. Though this aligns with western biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain, the ongoing lack of trust and cultural safety in western healthcare has led to reluctance in seeking treatment. The impact of pain on family and community and the importance traditional medicine and spiritual healing were highlighted. Ways to build trust and improve cultural safety in pain education programs were explored.
Conclusion: Understanding beliefs, expectations and validating experiences of Aboriginal people with chronic pain is the first step towards building trust and codesigning a culturally safe chronic safe education program.
Cultural perspectives: Consultation with local elders, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation and the local health Aboriginal collaborative was undertaken with feedback validating the need and approach. A Project Advisory Committee and a research mentor with Aboriginal research experience provided oversight and guidance. An Aboriginal researcher team member provided guidance ensuring Aboriginal community interests and cultural perspectives were appropriately and adequately considered and included.
Three Key Learnings:
1. It is important to respect the background life story and validate the pain journey of Aboriginal people with pain.
2. Adopting a holistic approach incorporating Aboriginal ways of healing and involving family and community can help with recovery from chronic pain.
3. The influence of past experiences, racism and intergenerational trauma continues to negatively impact Aboriginal health experiences and access to care. Trust is crucial to building cultural safety in healthcare interactions.
Biography
Hema is a non-Aboriginal woman of Indian heritage, a pain medicine physician and researcher in NSW. She has a shared insider/outsider perspective given the European colonial history of India being like that of Indigenous Australians and acknowledging and respecting the unique regional differences in cultures and traditions.
