Carer and staff preferences for characteristics of health services delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: a best-worst scaling study

Shingisai Chando; Martin Howell; Janice Nixon; Simone Sherriff; Kym Slater; Natalie Smith; Laura Stevenson; Michelle Dickson; Allison Jaure; Jonathan Craig; Sandra Eades; Kirsten Howard

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Carer and staff preferences for characteristics of health services delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: a best-worst scaling study

Shingisai Chando , Martin Howell, Janice Nixon, Simone Sherriff, Kym Slater, Natalie Smith, Laura Stevenson, Michelle Dickson, Allison Jaure, Jonathan Craig, Sandra Eades, Kirsten Howard

Abstract

Abstract Background: Prioritising the characteristics of health services delivery can guide improvements to the quality of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their carers. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative importance of 20 health services delivery characteristics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Methods: From May 2022 to November 2023, best-worst scaling surveys were distributed in person and online to carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and staff who work at health services used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Preference scores (0 to 1) were calculated using multinomial logit regression models. Interaction terms were added to a regression model to examine preference heterogeneity. Results: One hundred and nine surveys were completed. Most participants identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (81%) and were 30 years or older (77%) and female (83%) and either worked or used health services at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (84%). For the combined sample of carers and staff, the most important attribute was ‘Treatment options are explained, and the carer is involved in decisions about the child’s care’, followed by ‘Clinical staff ask carer about their concerns for their child and respond to them’ and ‘Clinical staff provide carers with the skills to manage their child’s health at home.’ Conclusions: Our study identified that communication characteristics related to shared decision-making and empowerment are considered the most important characteristics of health services delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

PY25048 Accepted 01 July 2025