Environmental health officers' understanding about an aboriginal environmental health worker program in the Northern Territory.

OBJECTIVE

To explore environmental health officers' (EHOs) perception that a program to train Aboriginal people as environmental health workers in 10 remote Northern Territory communities was not operating well.

METHOD

Phenomenography, an approach within the qualitative domain, was used to explore 15 EHOs' understanding about the program during 1996-97. Respondents came from four of the Territory's five operational districts.

RESULTS

Respondents were unclear about worker roles and responsibilities within the program. Perceptions about their own skills as trainers in a cross-cultural context inhibited their abilities to support the program effectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the support, orientation and professional development needs of EHOs will enhance program effectiveness.

IMPLICATIONS

Support staff should be adequately prepared and trained before a new program is commenced.