Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide clients with information about chronic disease, its prevalence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations, and to encourage prevention and early detection.

It requires the ability to discuss risk factors and ways to reduce the risk of chronic disease, and to inform clients about chronic disease screening programs. It covers the coordination of follow-up for any clients who advise of any health concerns.

Information may be provided to individual clients in the course of general health service provision, or during dedicated group education sessions.

Education about diabetes and cancer is covered by additional specific units.

This unit is specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people working as health workers or health practitioners. They work as part of a multidisciplinary primary health care team to provide primary health care services and health education activities to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No regulatory requirement for certification, occupational or business licensing is linked to this unit at the time of publication. For information about practitioner registration and accredited courses of study, contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA).

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Health Promotion

Unit Sector

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Unit Mapping Information

This unit supersedes and is not equivalent to HLTAHW028 Provide information and strategies in chronic condition care.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

• provide information about chronic disease to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients including:

• two individual clients
• one group of a minimum of three people

• across the three client interactions collectively, cover three different types of chronic diseases
• on each occasion:

• provide information covering:

• the incidence of chronic disease, generally, in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, and the incidence of the particular type of chronic disease
• the nature of chronic disease generally, and the nature of the particular type of chronic disease
• functional impacts on body organs and systems, particular to the type of chronic disease
• potential serious complications of chronic disease and potential for comorbidity
• chronic disease risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices that can reduce risk
• signs and symptoms of chronic disease, particular to the type of chronic disease
• the importance of early detection
• chronic disease screening programs and test procedures, particular to the type of chronic disease

• seek and evaluate feedback from clients and provide to relevant people within the health service

• discuss health concerns with two clients and respond by coordinating follow-up assessments or appointments.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

• organisational procedures for responding to client disclosure of health concerns
• how to access current and credible:

• consumer based education resources about different types of chronic disease
• statistics for chronic disease in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and other Australian populations
• visual aids for chronic disease education

• features of chronic disease:

• complex causality
• multiple risk factors
• long latency periods
• a prolonged course of illness
• functional impairment or disability

• prevalence and statistical incidence of chronic disease, generally, in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations compared to non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations
• the statistical incidence of the main types of chronic disease affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people including those commonly affecting men, women and people of different ages
• the survival and mortality rates for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and why outcomes are generally worse than for other Australians
• chronic diseases of high incidence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations:

• cardiovascular disease
• chronic respiratory disease including asthma and obstructive lung disease
• chronic kidney disease and end stage renal failure
• chronic liver disease including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis
• musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis
• eye, ear and oral disease

• for each of the above chronic diseases of high incidence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations:

• plain language definitions and explanations
• the major signs and symptoms
• basic pathophysiology sufficient to understand the impact and functional changes on relevant body organs and systems
• the concept of comorbidity and an overview of the main complications that can result in the co-occurrence of other diseases or conditions

• modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for chronic disease:

• smoking
• physical inactivity
• unhealthy nutrition and body weight
• consumption of alcohol at unsafe levels
• use of illicit drugs
• unsafe sexual practices
• ageing
• genetics
• family history of chronic disease
• high blood pressure

• the importance of clients modifying their lifestyle to reduce the risk of chronic disease
• key elements of Australian national dietary and physical activity guidelines
• the impact of early detection and treatment on:

• progression of chronic disease and health outcomes
• reducing the risk of serious complications

• for screening:

• reasons for screening healthy and asymptomatic people
• importance of health assessments and screening tests in the early detection and treatment of chronic disease
• chronic disease screening programs available in the local community, state or territory, how to access these and any associated costs and benefits paid
• the procedures for a range of chronic disease screening tests
• general and cultural factors that influence an individual’s decision to participate in screening programs

• appropriate actions to take in response to disclosure of health concerns:

• completing an immediate health assessment and providing referrals
• assisting clients to make appointments with medical practitioners for diagnosis or referral
• activating follow-up to ensure clients are tested

• methods used to evaluate health education activities:

• client evaluation questionnaires
• informal conversations with clients
• self-reflection on client responses to information including any difficulties in understanding

• ways that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners can:

• provide feedback on chronic disease awareness activities
• contribute to the evaluation and planning of overall education and prevention programs.

Assessment Conditions

Skills can be demonstrated through:

• work activities completed within an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health service, or
• simulations and case studies completed within a training organisation, based on comprehensive information about client needs and available screening programs.

Assessment must ensure the use of:

• interaction with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients either through actual work activities or simulations
• current consumer-based education resources about different types of chronic disease from credible sources
• consumer based dietary and exercise guidelines from credible sources which could include those produced by government agencies and chronic disease support services
• visual aids for chronic disease education
• organisational procedures for responding to client disclosure of health concerns.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:

• be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency through experience working as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker or practitioner, or
• be a registered health practitioner or a health educator with experience relevant to this unit of competency and be accompanied by, or have assessments validated by, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705