Workshop/Workbook 11

Question 1

How to address and improve health literacy for Aboriginal people

Answer 1

1. Embedding health literacy into systems through program planning and designing healthcare organisations that are easier for people to navigate
2. Ensuring effective communication – providing print, electronic or other communication that is appropriate for the needs of consumers
3. Integrating health literacy into education – educating consumers and healthcare providers. This could include population health programs, health promotion and education strategies, school health education etc.

Question 2

Yarning with Aboriginal patients

Answer 2

• Social yarn: used to get to know the patient in the beginning, develop a relationship and share life experiences
• Diagnostic yarn: used to hear the patient’s health story, use open ended questions and interpret things from a biomedical lens
• Management yarn: used to provide direct and straight up health advice, share stories and metaphors to aid the understanding of the health condition and develop a shared and agreed plan for care

Question 3

Communication strategies for rapport building with Aboriginal people

Answer 3

Language:

• use simple and easy to understand language
• avoid trying to mimic the language style of an Aboriginal Australian to make them feel more comfortable, it is usually regarded as disrespectful
• respect the patient’s use of silence, it does not always mean they have misunderstood you
• wait your turn to speak
• be aware that some words may have different meaning in different communities

Body language:

• should be open but non-confrontational
• eye contact may sometimes be considered rude

Silence:

• silence may be used by the patient as sign of respect, to contemplate on what has just been said or waiting for community support
• it is important to allow time for people to think and have informal discussions

Written communication:
- visual aids, such as a poster of body parts are useful and can be used in conjunction with written information, but both need to be culturally appropriate