The KAMSC Centre for Aboriginal Primary Health Care Training, Education and Research (CAPTER) is an innovative model of integrated education programs that are of vital importance Aboriginal health.

It is the only program of its type based in an Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation in Australia.

Program components include:

Aboriginal Health Worker education and training, is a regional program which has an established track record in producing highly skilled health practitioners, in developing quality training resources and in contributing to development of Aboriginal Health Worker policy in WA and nationally.

KAMSC is part of the Northern Australian Indigenous Primary Health Education Consortium (NAIPHEC) with JCU and the Mt Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health.

GP registrar education and training, in partnership with Western Australian General Practice Education and Training Ltd (WAGPET) and General Practice Education and Training Ltd (GPET). Supernumerary specialised posts are available to GP registrars from all Regional Training Providers across Australia and are supported by a regional Medical Educator. Experience and training is tailored to interests: apart from clinical practice in Kimberley towns and visiting services to remote communities, registrars can be involved in population health programs, teaching, local health promotion and research. In addition to local GP Supervisors, registrar learning is supported by Aboriginal Health Worker mentors.

Medical undergraduate education, as part of the University of Western Australia Rural Clinical School program with the UWA medical coordinator and administrative support staff based within CAPTER. Students currently undertake all of their 5th year studies in the region. A range of short term medical student placements are also available. Access to other Universities rural programs is likely including institutions in areas of common interest such as James Cook University (JCU).

a Pharmacist Academic under an arrangement with the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH) to Aboriginal health content in pharmacy undergraduate education, continuing professional development for community pharmacists, cross-disciplinary training and support in quality use of medicines.

Short courses offered to a range of professionals (eg delivery of training in Patient Information and Recall System in partnership with JCU and the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health).

Various research projects have already been undertaken on a variety of Aboriginal primary health care issues that is likely to expand in the future (eg: in social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal youth and the NACCHO ear trial).

GP Registrar and Training

As part of the Rural Health Initiatives announced in the May 2000 budget, the Commonwealth Government embarked on major reforms of medical undergraduate education and general practice training. These reforms involve 'regionalisation' of GP training as well as establishment of rural clinical schools for medical students to train in regional centres.

KAMSC has successfully negotiated with all stakeholders (including the University of WA, General Practice Education and Training, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging and Western Australian General Practice Training and Education) for both the rural clinical school and the GP training program to be part of an expanded KAMSC education and training program.

The intergrated Aboriginal health program is a national first. CAPTER will draw together a number of KAMSC functions around related population health and workforce development functions.

Existing programs in Aboriginal Health Worker training, SEWB and population health are being expanded and strengthened with the addition of a Medical Educator responsible for the training program for 5th year medical students from UWA and GP registrars based in member ACCHSs.

Dr. David Atkinson from UWA commenced work as Medical Educator in November 2002. To ensure solid administrative and financial support, KAMSC successfully negotiated funding from the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health to appoint a finance and administrative officer for CAPTER.

The benefit for KAMSC and member services will be increased levels of GP services, better trained doctors with an interest in Aboriginal health and working in the Kimberley region and improved teamwork between AHW's and doctors.

In 2002, KAMSC aquired seven units in Weld Street, Broome for the purpose of housing medical students and GP registrars.