Dr Joshua Baker, who is based on Thursday Island (Waiben) is researching traditional medicine and healers. Photo: Supplied.
A Thursday Island doctor researching how traditional medicine can be blended with modern clinical care is now the first Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service staff member to receive a grant through the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
The acting medical director of Primary Health Care on Thursday Island [Waiben], Dr Joshua Baker was awarded the $10,000 grant earlier this year.
Dr Baker said he became interested in traditional medicine and healers after seeing how they were incorporated in the Northern Territory.
He wants to understand the prevalence of traditional methods in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.
“All of this knowledge belongs to the traditional owners and I’m hoping this research will be about trying to find out what people want and a way to help facilitate that to provide more culturally safe healthcare,” Dr Baker said.
“There are parts of Australia where traditional healers have been formally integrated into health services and I am keen to explore whether that model could be brought to life here.
“I’m interested to see how many people use traditional medicine and healers and whether there is a role for it to be integrated into the care we provide.”
Dr Baker said his research would include holding yarning circles to speak to locals about traditional medicine and healers.
“Yarning circles are well established culturally respected research methods in the Torres Strait,” he said.
Dr Baker has already consulted with James Cook University’s Healthy Age Research Team knowledge circle, which is made up of elders from Thursday and Horn islands.
He has received strong community support for the project, according to the health service.
Health service chief executive Rex O’Rourke said Dr Baker’s research aligned with the organisation’s commitment to culturally safe care.
Thursday Island Hospital. Photo: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.
“Our Health Equity Strategy is co-designed with our communities and health partners as we recognise the uniqueness of our region and the importance of tailoring health services to improve the care we provide,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this important research and how the findings may be incorporated into our services.”
Traditional healing knowledge gained from the research will be owned, controlled, and protected by the communities they come from, consistent with the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data sovereignty.
Hospital foundation chief executive Gina Hogan said the foundation had invested more than $2.2 million in health and medical research since 2007.
“Supporting clinicians and researchers to pursue new ideas helps strengthen health care in Far North Queensland while contributing knowledge that benefits patients well beyond our region,” she said.
Dr Baker’s research was one of 18 projects selected by the Hospital Foundation to receive a total of $250,000 funding.
