Table 5 Critical elements of models of care in an Indigenous setting identified from the published, peer-reviewed literature

Community Engagement

• Community/ local needs identified

• Strong community connection and engagement in decision-making, planning, designing the program/ project

• Community leadership

Education & Training: Providers, Support Workers & Carers

• Upskilling staff through training

• Providing training and education to community members (peer-to-peer teaching)

• Culturally-appropriate resources and materials

Culturally Safe Service Delivery Strategy

• Palliative Care integrated with cancer care (palliative care is not separated rather included within the cancer treatment continuum, Link to an established Program)

• A team-based whole-of-service approach (Support from all staff)

• Creative, careful realignment of existing health system resource utilisation

• Clinician endorsement is critical

Flexible Organisation/ Program Structure

• Sufficient flexible funding

• Stable institution

• Infrastructure (physical environment, Built Environment, accessibility and availability of services)

• Organisational policy

• Partnership with local agencies, hospitals, academic institutions, etc.

Patient-centered Care

• Culturally safe care (respect for traditional practices and medicine, respectful of traditional beliefs, providing cultural and spiritual care)

• Delivery of Care (Inter-disciplinary care, multidisciplinary team, coordination of care, outreach services/ home visit, interpreter services)

• Family involvement in care and decision-making, place of death, home visit, outreach services, provide various forms of support, patient empowerment, compassionate care)

Quality Service Delivery

• Ongoing evaluation

• Systematic record-keeping to capture progressive data