Empowering our First Nations workforce: evaluation of a First Nations COVID-19 vaccination training program.

Background: A COVID-19 vaccination training program was designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) health workers and practitioners in Queensland to expand their scope of practice to include COVID-19 immunisation. In the setting of a global pandemic, the project aimed to improve vaccination levels and show how First Nations staff are central to community-led responses to effectively address their community's health needs. Methods: The program, consisting of an online module and face to face workshop, is described and then evaluated with the RE–AIM framework via mixed methods of participant training surveys and qualitative feedback. Results: The program reached 738 online and 329 workshop participants with the majority identifying as First Nations. The 52 workshops were attended by participants from 12 different hospital and health services in Queensland and 13 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). Feedback was positive, with participants rating the training highly. Of the First Nations Health Workers and Practitioners who responded to the workshop follow up survey, the majority (34/40) implemented their new skills in practice helping minimise the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks in their community. Most respondents (38/40) considered vaccination should be permanently in their scope of practice. Conclusions: The successful implementation of the vaccination training project was an example of First Nations led health care. Improving scope of practice for First Nations health staff can improve not just career retention and progression but also the delivery of primary care to a community that continues to bear the inequity of poorer health outcomes. First Nations health professionals remain underrepresented in the workforce. This program aimed to maximise community COVID-19 vaccination coverage by placing First Nations staff central to their own community's response to the pandemic. Evaluation shows these new skills were valuable in helping protect First Nations communities against the pandemic. Improving scope of practice for First Nations health staff can improve the delivery of primary health care to a community that continues to bear the inequity of poorer health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]