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Using Citizen Science to Address Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure with Aboriginal Communities in the Far West of South Australia: A Protocol

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  • Courtney Ryder

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Gadigal, Sydney 2000, Australia
    School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Gadigal, Sydney 2000, Australia)

  • Ray Mahoney

    (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisations, Turrbal and Yuggera, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Patrick Sharpe

    (Far West Community Partnerships, Kokatha, Mirning and Wirangu Country, Ceduna 5690, Australia)

  • Georga Sallows

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Karla Canuto

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Andrew Goodman

    (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisations, Turrbal and Yuggera, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Julieann Coombes

    (The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Gadigal, Sydney 2000, Australia)

  • Odette Pearson

    (Wardliparingga, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Kaurna Yerta, Adeliade 5000, Australia)

  • Jaquelyne T. Hughes

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Marlien Varnfield

    (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisations, Turrbal and Yuggera, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Candice Oster

    (College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Jonathan Karnon

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Claire Drummond

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • James A. Smith

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Shanti Omodei-James

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Lavender Otieno

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Ali Soltani

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia)

  • Billie Bonevski

    (Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Kaurna Yerta, Adelaide 5000, Australia
    School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Awabakal, Newcastle 2267, Australia)

Abstract

Out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOPHE) significantly impacts people with chronic and complex diseases (CCDs) and injuries. Aboriginal communities experience a higher burden of CCDs and injury, along with greater OOPHE inequities. This project aims to develop and implement a social prescribing digital platform (Web App) to reduce OOPHE. It is grounded in citizen science approaches that value the lived experience and knowledge of Aboriginal people in shaping solutions. The project uses a citizen science methodology adapted for these communities, using knowledge interface methodology to weave together Indigenous and Western knowledges. Research methods (Indigenous, quantitative, qualitative) explore the relational nature of OOPHE risks and protective factors through co-design and workshops with Aboriginal participants to develop the Web App. A community-centric developmental evaluation guides the trial and refinement of the platform, allowing for ongoing learning and adaptation. Process measures inform a national scale-up and evaluation framework. Addressing OOPHE is essential to improving health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and families living with or at risk of CCDs. This initiative aims to reduce the impact of OOPHE through digital social prescribing, there by connecting people with essential community services to access healthcare, offering a scalable approach to addressing health inequities nationwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney Ryder & Ray Mahoney & Patrick Sharpe & Georga Sallows & Karla Canuto & Andrew Goodman & Julieann Coombes & Odette Pearson & Jaquelyne T. Hughes & Marlien Varnfield & Candice Oster & Jonathan , 2025. "Using Citizen Science to Address Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure with Aboriginal Communities in the Far West of South Australia: A Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(11), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:11:p:1640-:d:1781527
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