Winner: Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award
The Natural Helper Program (NHP) addresses chronic disease in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities by including culturally responsive, peer-led mentoring in everyday care. Designed with community groups and healthcare stakeholders, the program recruited and trained 24 volunteer mentors from six CALD communities and supported 118 patients across eight clinics. Having lived experience, mentors provided culturally specific guidance to empower patients in managing their health.
The program was tested over 24 months. Patients mentored through the program achieved significantly greater improvements in self-management and self-efficacy compared to those receiving usual care. Interviews with patients, mentors and healthcare providers showed the program's cultural alignment, community empowerment, and positive impact on patient outcomes. Healthcare providers also showed improvements in cultural responsiveness and patient-centredness.
Meet the other finalists for the Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award.
