Thank you to the White Coats Foundation, through the Power of One grant, for supporting our research study. This aim of our study is to ensure a screening tool being used in healthcare is acceptable with Aboriginal peoples in New South Wales. The tool can identify whether people are experiencing changes in their thinking and memory that may require support. The tool is currently used in general practice and with neurology and cancer patients.

While we had intended to conduct yarning circles during 2021, Covid-19 has had other plans. With rising cases in New South Wales, it soon became clear that we would not be able to safely conduct the planned face-to-face yarning circles. We have had to postpone these yarning circles until next year. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will resume planning for our yarning circles and we have set aside the funds for the Power of One grant to support this.

In the meantime, we have been keeping very busy. This study is part of a larger research project that is trying to find acceptable and feasible ways for healthcare professionals to find changes in people with a brain cancer diagnosis’ thinking and memory. We have been conducting a systematic literature review to identify existing tools that are both effective and practical. We have also been piloting a thinking and memory tool with brain cancer patients and asking patients and caregivers about their experiences of changes in thinking and memory.

Ensuring that thinking and memory screening tools that used by healthcare professionals are acceptable with Aboriginal peoples remains a very important part of finding a tool suitable for use in healthcare settings. It is a priority to return to this research question as soon as we are safely able, with the support of the Power of One grant. We look forward to being able to being able to provide an update next year!