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Journal article
Replanting the Birthing Trees to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and babies: protocol for developmental evaluation of a comprehensive culturally responsive, trauma-aware, healing-informed, continuity of care(r) model
Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.13
2025
Abstract
Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience intergenerational trauma as a legacy of the impacts of colonisation. Replanting the Birthing Trees (RBT) aims to transform compounding cycles of intergenerational trauma and harm to positively reinforcing cycles of intergenerational nurturing and recovery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and babies. This paper describes the protocol for developmental evaluation of the culturally responsive, trauma-aware, healing-informed, continuity of care(r) model to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents during the first 2000 days (pregnancy, birth and the first 5 years after birth).Methods: The RBT project will be conducted in partnership with seven health services across Victoria (Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women) and Western Australia (WA) [Armadale Hospital, Western Australian Country Health Service (Northam, Narrogin, Moora and Merredin)], Australia. The RBT project consists of five workstreams: a resource repository including support framework; culturally validated sensitive enquiry tools; workforce development and training; continuity of care(r) toolkit; and strategies to support families to stay together from the start. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) informs implementation strategies. Acceptability, feasibility, costs and effectiveness will be evaluated using mixed methods analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, collected using key stakeholder interviews; parent and service provider discussion groups and interviews; cost audit; knowledge, attitude and practice surveys; pre- and post-implementation outcome data; interrupted time series analysis of routinely collected administrative linked data for primary and secondary outcomes; and co-design workshops. Competitive funding and human research ethics committee approval were assessed against Indigenous research excellence criteria with protocols to ensure the cultural and emotional safety of participants and communities.Discussion: Participatory action research approaches are used to foster reflective cycles on data within the research process. Findings will be shared in project newsletters, plain language summaries, presentations and publications.
Details
- Title
- Replanting the Birthing Trees to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and babies: protocol for developmental evaluation of a comprehensive culturally responsive, trauma-aware, healing-informed, continuity of care(r) model
- Authors/Creators
- Catherine Chamberlain - The University of MelbourneJacqui Sundbery - The University of MelbourneLeonie Segal - University of South AustraliaJacynta Krakouer - Monash UniversityMarcia Langton - The University of MelbourneJillian Donnelly - The University of MelbourneJayne Kotz - Murdoch UniversityEllen McEvoy - The University of MelbourneMaddy LyonNeve Mucabel-BueAmalia Karahalios - The University of MelbournePaul Gray - University of Technology SydneyEmmanuel Gnanamanickam - The University of AdelaideCaroline Atkinson - The University of MelbourneKimberley A Jones - The University of MelbourneHelen Henderson - The University of MelbourneHelen Herrman - The University of MelbourneMaedeh Aboutalebi Karkavandi - The University of MelbourneAlison ElliottGina Bundle - Royal Women's HospitalRoz Walker - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for ChangeTrish Ratajczak - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for ChangeBridgette KellyShawana Andrews - The University of MelbourneDoseena Fergie - Australian Catholic UniversitySusan P. Walker - The University of MelbourneElise Davis - The University of MelbourneJudy AtkinsonHelen McLachlan - La Trobe UniversityPamela McCalmanDella Forster - La Trobe UniversityDeb BowmanTess Bright - The University of MelbourneHelen Skouteris - Monash UniversitySkye Stewart - The University of MelbourneStorm Henry - Royal Women's HospitalKristen Smith - The University of MelbourneCampbell PaulKootsy CanutoJane Fisher - Monash UniversityKate ReynoldsPhillipa ReppingtonNaomi Priest - Murdoch Children's Research InstituteSally KendallTracy Reibel - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for ChangeJulie AndrewsDave CarmodyAdrienne LipscombMaddison BellChristine ParryVanessa RussShakira Onwuka - The University of MelbourneRhonda Marriott - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.13
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A.; LAUSANNE
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991005862488207891
- Copyright
- © 2026 Chamberlain et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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