‘Ask someone, what is their dreaming?’Yarning about occupational performancecoaching

Rationale:
Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) is a structured, evidence-based intervention that is a useful occupation-focussed intervention, particularly for caregivers. Yet its effectiveness and cultural responsiveness with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families remains underexplored. Evidence suggests that using culturally appropriate interventions and approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples improves levels of service engagement and health outcomes.

Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the practices and ways of working of staff from a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service and assess their alignment with the tenets and domains of OPC.

Method:
This deductive qualitative study employed a co-design approach using a flexible yarning methodology, with four collaborative yarns between researchers and health-care workers who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families within a local health service. Using Social, Cross-cultural, Research Topic, and Collaborative Yarning types, the project conducted a preliminary evaluation of health-care workers' views on using OPC in this context. Data were analysed via thematic analysis by both participants and the research team.

Results:
Thematic analysis identified five emergent themes which, combined, summarised a way of working that was considered critical to supporting families: Connection, Partnering, Ways of Being, Navigating Systems, and Navigating Change emerged as interconnected and vital. The health team expressed the preference for terms like ‘dreaming’ and ‘hopes’ rather than ‘goals’.

Conclusion:
This preliminary study suggests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of working may align with OPC tenets and domains; however, further research is required to investigate possible further adaptations.