The Pathways App A first look at the app

Meet Pathways.

A free app, co-designed with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, that helps them carry their child's ear health story in one place — symptoms, medications and appointments — as they move between health services.

Explore the app ↓

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Free to download on iPhone and Android.

Introducing

The Pathways App

Here's a first look at the app interface.

Open the app

Quick to start logging

See your child's timeline

View by calendar

Record symptoms

Log medications

Track appointments

Pathways app — log notes and observations

Add notes & observations

Why Pathways exists

Families are the one constant in their child's ear health journey

As children move between different health care providers, families are the ones who hold the most complete understanding of their child's journey. Pathways was co-designed with families to help support this coordination role, and this pilot aims to understand how well it works in real-world settings.

Gaps in care sometimes happen

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience ear infections and hearing problems at higher rates than other children. Families often have to manage appointments, medications and symptoms across services – which sometimes aren't well connected – which can contribute to treatment delays and gaps in care.

What families shared with us

Through our co-design work, a common theme was families holding much of their child's health history as they moved between providers. Many pointed to a need for a simpler way to keep that information in one place.

So we built Pathways

Co-designed with and for Aboriginal families, the app helps them track symptoms, record medications with reminders, log appointments, and reach ear health resources — all in one place. Everything stays private on the family's phone; nothing is shared.

About Pathways

Co-designed with communities, built for families

Pathways was developed by Flinders University in partnership with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Far West South Australia. It was built from the ground up with community — designed to fit the way families actually live, and to help them feel more in control of their child's ear health, day-to-day and at appointments.

The pilot study now underway is evaluating how well the app works in real-world use — whether it's easy to live with, and whether it helps families stay on top of their child's ear health over time.

The team

Get in touch

The Pathways team would love to chat. Whether you work with families, run services, or are curious about the research — reach out directly.

Chief Investigator

Associate Professor
Jacqueline Stephens

Associate Professor in Public Health at Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health. Jacqueline leads the Pathways Project — from community co-design through to the current pilot study evaluating the app's feasibility and impact.

pathways@flinders.edu.au View researcher profile →

Jordan Lovegrove & Emily Ferry

About the artwork

Jordan Lovegrove — Ngarrindjeri

The artwork by Ngarrindjeri artist Jordan Lovegrove encapsulates the essence of the Pathways Project, dedicated to improving early detection and treatment of ear infections among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. At its heart lies a central meeting place, surrounded by the footprints and pathways families take on their journey to better ear health.

Emily Ferry — Dunghutti

Emily Ferry is a Dunghutti artist born and living on Kaurna Country. A recent graduate of Flinders University, she is only at the beginning of her career. Emily especially enjoys collaborating with others and creating art that brings their ideas to life — and hopefully a smile to their face.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters, where this work was undertaken, are the Kokatha, Mirning, Maralinga Tjarutja, and Wirangu Peoples. We acknowledge and thank the Elders of the Far West Country and recognise their strength and leadership of the communities as they continue to care for Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters where the Pathways team live and work are the Kaurna People. We honour their enduring connection to Country, culture, community and knowledge, and pay our respects to Kaurna Elders past and present.

We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal Land.