Indigenous Health and Wellbeing

This unit aims to introduce students undertaking a health-related course to the capabilities required to deliver culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by critically reflecting on the concept of cultural safety to deliver safe, accessible and responsive healthcare that is free from racism. The unit applies the five cultural capabilities of respect, communication, safety and quality, reflection and advocacy with the aim to: recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ way of doing in the context of history, culture and diversity; engage in culturally appropriate, safe and sensitive communication that facilitates trust and the building of respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; apply evidence and strengths based best practice approaches in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care; examine and reflect on how one’s own culture and dominant cultural paradigms, influence perceptions and interactions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and to recognise that the whole health system is responsible for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.