The professional development of indigenous health workers; building capacity to address substance misuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples through university education

The professional development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) health workers has a key role to play in minimizing the harms of substance misuse within the Indigenous population. Combining the frontline experience of these health workers with adequate training provides the potential for integrated and culturally appropriate efforts from prevention through to treatment. The University of Sydney, aided with funding form the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation and guided by a national steering group, has developed a flexible, block release course to build the clinical, public health and academic capacity of Indigenous health professionals.The Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health (Substance Use) recognizes and builds on prior learning and training. It includes six blocks of face-to-face study at the University, each about a week long and each followed by a series of learning tasks that students do in their community or workplace. Students can continue for an extra year of study, enrolling in mainstream public health electives, to complete their Master’s degree.Students come from around Australia and are not only educated on, but actively engage in analysis of the protocols and policies which underpin substance misuse programs for Indigenous people. The course results in two-way education where students increase their academic and professional skills, and also through their teaching experience, staff learn more about Indigenous community needs, culture and perspectives. It is hoped that this course will effectively enhance the pro-active management and strategic planning skills that are required by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers in the prevention and treatment of substance misuse services.In this presentation we report on the course development and student support initiatives and current students report on their experience of the course.