OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers and facilitators to the timely detection and optimal management of chronic wet cough (CWC) in children from the perspective of health care providers (HCPs) across primary care clinics providing services to Australian Aboriginal people in multiple, diverse communities.

STUDY TYPE: Qualitative participatory action research study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Eight Australian primary care clinics across three states and territories. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 83 HCPs from eight primary care clinics across metropolitan, regional and remote health service settings between May 2021 and July 2023.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Barriers to, and facilitators of, detection and optimal management of CWC in Aboriginal children in primary care settings.

RESULTS: Key barriers identified included limited condition-specific knowledge, time constraints and competing priorities. HCPs identified key facilitators, such as the need for additional training, educational resources and various modifications to clinic systems. Barriers and facilitators were similar across settings. Proposed solutions varied and were based on several factors, such as community size, availability of existing infrastructure and local preferences. In addition, HCPs highlighted the importance of a culturally secure environment in fostering engagement and communication with Aboriginal families.

CONCLUSION: Although the barriers and facilitators to the detection and management of CWC in Aboriginal children were largely consistent across settings, solutions must be tailored to each community's unique circumstances. A comprehensive approach is required to overcome barriers and deliver the intervention within a culturally secure framework.

The known: Chronic wet cough (CWC) is highly prevalent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. However, there is limited clinician awareness of CWC. Optimising management of CWC improves clinical outcomes and quality of life. The new: Clinicians from eight sites across three Australian states/territories identified the need for additional training, a variety of educational resources and several modifications to clinic systems to facilitate the detection and optimal management of CWC. The implications: Specific solutions must be tailored to each site's unique circumstances. Ensuring a culturally secure clinical environment is essential to improve the detection and optimal management of CWC in primary care.