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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0BMJ Open

Implementing a co-designed communication training programme for non-Indigenous mental health professionals working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers in Queensland, Australia: protocol

  • Edwin Adrianta Surijah1
  • Christina M Bernardes2,3
  • Stuart Ekberg4
  • Julie-Anne Rogers1
  • Jean Marie Spinks5
  • Renata Meuter6
  • Kylie Burke7,8
  • Gabrielle Paton Simcock1
  • Michelle Combo9
  • Ilana Mushin10
  • Greg Pratt1
10 affiliations
  1. 1Jawun Research Institute, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. 2The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. 3Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
  4. 4Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  5. 5Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Institute for Health Queensland, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  6. 6School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  7. 7The University of Queensland School of Psychology, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  8. 8ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia
  9. 9Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
  10. 10School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Abstract

Introduction This protocol outlines co-design processes used in the development of communication training for non-Indigenous mental health professionals working in the public hospital and health service sector in Queensland, Australia, alongside governance procedures used to ensure that Indigenous research methods are applied appropriately. Intercultural communication between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers and non-Indigenous health professionals can adversely affect the delivery of health services. In a mental health service setting, communication can negatively impact the therapeutic relationship between health providers and service users, alongside treatment outcomes for these people. This training programme aims to enhance the communication skills of non-Indigenous mental health professionals and improve healthcare provided to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers.Methods This is a mixed-methods, co-designed single-arm interventional study (communication training programme) to be implemented in a staggered manner, complemented by a matched-sample observational study. The communication training will be delivered to non-Indigenous mental health professionals within Queensland Health. The voices, leadership and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples serve as the principal guiding element and key component of the communication training programme. They will be actively involved as members of the research team, steering committee, working groups and/or advisory groups throughout the study.Ethics and dissemination The ethical considerations for this study are primarily guided by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, which addresses issues such as data sovereignty, data storage and risk mitigation. The Principal Investigator and the Steering Committee, which comprises Indigenous members of the research team, made decisions regarding how the data are stored and analysed. They also determined how the study findings are published and returned to participating services, advisory groups, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while ensuring that all publications accurately reflect the experiences and knowledges of Indigenous peoples. The study is also being conducted in collaboration with Queensland Health, which will provide support for the management of participant distress. Procedures to manage participant distress include the right to pause or withdraw from the study at any time, as well as access to appropriate support pathways should distress arise.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{surijah2026implementing,
  title = {{Implementing a co-designed communication training programme for non-Indigenous mental health professionals working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers in Queensland, Australia: protocol}},
  author = {Edwin Adrianta Surijah and Christina M Bernardes and Stuart Ekberg and Julie-Anne Rogers and Jean Marie Spinks and Renata Meuter and Kylie Burke and Gabrielle Paton Simcock and Michelle Combo and Ilana Mushin and Greg Pratt},
  journal = {BMJ Open},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117447},
  url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117447},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Implementing a co-designed communication training programme for non-Indigenous mental health professionals working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers in Queensland, Australia: protocol
AU  - Edwin Adrianta Surijah
AU  - Christina M Bernardes
AU  - Stuart Ekberg
AU  - Julie-Anne Rogers
AU  - Jean Marie Spinks
AU  - Renata Meuter
AU  - Kylie Burke
AU  - Gabrielle Paton Simcock
AU  - Michelle Combo
AU  - Ilana Mushin
AU  - Greg Pratt
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
JO  - BMJ Open
DO  - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117447
UR  - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117447
AB  - Introduction This protocol outlines co-design processes used in the development of communication training for non-Indigenous mental health professionals working in the public hospital and health service sector in Queensland, Australia, alongside governance procedures used to ensure that Indigenous research methods are applied appropriately. Intercultural communication between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers and non-Indigenous health professionals can adversely affect the delivery of health services. In a mental health service setting, communication can negatively impact the therapeutic relationship between health providers and service users, alongside treatment outcomes for these people. This training programme aims to enhance the communication skills of non-Indigenous mental health professionals and improve healthcare provided to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumers.Methods This is a mixed-methods, co-designed single-arm interventional study (communication training programme) to be implemented in a staggered manner, complemented by a matched-sample observational study. The communication training will be delivered to non-Indigenous mental health professionals within Queensland Health. The voices, leadership and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples serve as the principal guiding element and key component of the communication training programme. They will be actively involved as members of the research team, steering committee, working groups and/or advisory groups throughout the study.Ethics and dissemination The ethical considerations for this study are primarily guided by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, which addresses issues such as data sovereignty, data storage and risk mitigation. The Principal Investigator and the Steering Committee, which comprises Indigenous members of the research team, made decisions regarding how the data are stored and analysed. They also determined how the study findings are published and returned to participating services, advisory groups, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while ensuring that all publications accurately reflect the experiences and knowledges of Indigenous peoples. The study is also being conducted in collaboration with Queensland Health, which will provide support for the management of participant distress. Procedures to manage participant distress include the right to pause or withdraw from the study at any time, as well as access to appropriate support pathways should distress arise.
SN  - 2044-6055
SN  - 2044-6055
ER  -