Training needs of the aged care workforce providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in South Australia: A cross-sectional survey

Objective(s)The objective of this study was to explore the training needs and experiences of the aged care workforce providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in South Australia. MethodAn online cross-sectional survey was distributed to aged care workers involved in the direct care or care coordination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across South Australia between March and April 2024. Data collected included respondent demographics, aged care training experiences, needs and preferences. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted using R software. ResultsA total of 73 surveys were completed and analysed. Respondents reported a need for training across various topics, including social and emotional wellbeing (46.6%), grief and loss (45.2%), trauma-informed care (42.5%), and healthy aging (41.1%). Almost all respondents (98.6%) agreed or strongly agreed that training was important for skill development and delivering quality care. However, 39.7% reported not having received training specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in aged care. There was strong consensus on the importance of various training topics with most respondents rating them as Extremely Important. The two main barriers to participating in training were time constraints (58.9%) and the availability of training (46.6%). In-person training was the preferred delivery mode (45.2%) and case studies were the most preferred learning activity (78.1%). Conclusion(s)Our data indicate there is an opportunity to strengthen cultural-specific training for aged care staff working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South Australia and highlight preferred training topics and delivery modes. Implications for PracticeFindings have informed the development of Walking Together in Aged Care, a training program dedicated to building the capacity of the aged care workforce in meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In particular, the findings guided training topics and content, delivery modes and interactive learning activities, and the access barriers that must be overcome. Implications for PolicyDespite the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021) calling for improvements in the provision of workforce training, our results demonstrate a continued lack of training specific to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care.