Indigenous health

Question 1

What is the significant finding of studies that looked at the likelyhood of indigenous people to access care?

Answer 1

1. Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander patient are more likely to access services where provider comminicate respectfully and have some understanding of Aboriginal culture and build good relationships with Aboriginal community
2. Where Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health worker are part of the health care team

Question 2

What is a good guide for culturally safe communication suggested by Jennings et al 2018?

Answer 2

Health professional should realise that something so simple as good, caring talk has the ability to reconfigure these experiences and relationships between Indigenous client and the healthcare system. Sharing some personal experience may also be beneficial

Question 3

What are the 3 things that are suggested by Dr. Alison Nelson in regards to effective cross culture communication

Answer 3

1. Building relationship/building rapports/building trust - be humble in your approach, be friendly. Remember, you are there to learn about the person and their culture.
2. Genuinley reciprical communication. Tell them about yourself as well and use points of connection between yourself and individual under your care.
3. Breakdown the power imbalance with person under your care
4. Overcome cultural faux pas. Roll with mistakes and listen to patient in those situates. Be a learner not a teller.

Question 4

What are some good practice tips that allow to imrpove cross cultural communication?

Answer 4

1. Allow a support person to accompany the client
2. Recognise that not all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want to work with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worker
3. Share some personal information about yourself
4. Don’t expect them to share information regarding their families and culture or local history
5. Silence should not be misunderstood and should be respected.

Question 5

What is power of talk?

Answer 5

It is the esteem in which Indigenous respondents held talk, both individually and community-wide, with health professional as well as with each other.

Question 6

What is power differentials experienced through talk?

Answer 6

Essentially experienced related to the talk. These experiences can be feeling demeaned, diminished or disempowered as well as talk that challenged or reoriented the relationship between Indigenous people and the health system.

Question 7

What is the onus of a good clinician when it comes to cross-cultural communication?

Answer 7

Life-long self-reflection and learning is more appropriate than the notion of finality that terms such as cultural competency. Reduction of power differences and reaching beyond personal comfort zone are essential for cross-cultural communication.