In May (17th – 18th), the Quality Assurance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Services (QAAMS) team had the incredible opportunity to host their annual training workshop in the breathtaking Larrakia-Darwin region. It was a fantastic experience for all involved!
For those who may not be familiar, QAAMS is a Point-of-Care diabetes testing program that empowers Aboriginal Health Workers, Nurses, and other health professionals to conduct diabetes testing on-site, right within the community, with results available in just minutes. With more than 200 sites across Australia, this program facilitates a culturally appropriate and clinically effective diabetes diagnosis and management service for First Nations people.
The workshop itself was a resounding success and was chaired by Grant White, QAAMS Program Lead. With over 60 participants representing 26 health services in attendance from all over Australia. They took part in practical training sessions, expertly led by our dedicated ICPOCT staff members: Isabelle Haklar, Polina Mazonka, Audrey Smith, and Lauren Duckworth.
Alongside these training sessions, we also had an array of informative presentations and engaging information booths. There was representation from a variety of organisations including the Miwatj and Goondir health groups, Healthy Living NT, the Melbourne University Indigenous Eye Health Unit, and the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, among others. Their valuable insights and contributions added immense value to the event. One particular highlight was the SiSU Health Station, which generated tremendous interest among our participants! Another highlight of the workshop was our popular Yarning Circle.
This year, we introduced a map poster where participants could highlight their country, emphasizing the extensive reach and impact of the QAAMS program. It was a powerful visual representation of our collective efforts.
The workshop left the team inspired and motivated. Mark your calendars for May 2024, as they plan to bring their training workshop to Adelaide.
To stay up-to-date with all the latest news on QAAMS and other programs under the Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care testing, you can follow them on LinkedIn.