petaha@unimelb.edu.au - michael@SPPU.com.au

Cultural Safety Workshop

Aboriginal health LIME Conference

September 2007

http://www.vaccho.com.au/html/members.htm

VACCHO MEMBERS ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT VICTORIA

Overview

• University of Melbourne, School of Rural Health (SRH) offers, as part of its Speciality Health Rotations subject, the 4 week Rural Health Module (RHM). The RHM is a compulsory part of the curriculum and must be successfully completed.

Rural Health Module

• There are five key conceptual themes that underpin all aspects of the RHM, one of which is Cultural Safety.

Cultural Safety Workshop Overview• Cultural safety requires health

professionals to acknowledge their position of power, reflect on their judgements and communication styles, and be proactive about providing a safe service.

Core Aims

Recognition of the Local Aboriginal Community

• Local history and impact of colonisation• Awareness of the existence of Koori community

as culturally distinct from mainstream, other Aboriginal communities and other ethnic groups

• Understanding and celebration of Cultural Heritage

• Appreciating the diversity of experience and identity of local Kooris through hearing their stories

Core Aims

Understanding ‘White’ (Mainstream) Privilege

• Understanding mainstream culture, values and beliefs so dominant culture is not seen as normative

• Awareness of white (mainstream) privilege at the personal and institutional levels

• Development of self reflective practice in relation to issues of white privilege

Pedagogy

Experiential and

Interactive Workshop

Coffee  Welcome and ground rules Icebreaker  Bafa Bafa MORNING TEA  Defining Cultural Safety Video LUNCH  Koori Panel  AFTERNOON TEA Institutional Cultural Safety  Evaluation questionnaire Finish.

Agenda

• An overseas student being with a group of Australians and not understanding the cultural slant on Australian jokes and feeling that perhaps the group were ‘having a go’ at him;

•Travelling in Morocco during Ramadan and being really hungry and getting ‘caught’ breaking the fast;

•Offering a policeman in Australia some money after being pulled over for speeding as this was a common practice in the country she came from (fortunately the judge was very understanding);

Ice Breaker

Alpha

confused

angry

upset at cards being ‘stolen’

going into the corner and crying

alienated

so competitive

taken advantage of

‘miaow’ in frustration!

Beta

suspicious

what obligation does hugging mean?

overwhelmed (by affection)

why am I upsetting them?

Bewildered

Aimless (they just kept taking the beads…)

confusing

tired at being nice all the time

Bafa BafaDifficulty, challenge and interest of entering a different culture

Possibility of offending unawares

Possibility of being exploited

Strong emotions

Different perceptions of the same situation

One culture not being understood by another culture

How one’s own culture ‘frames’ the understanding of the other culture

Babakiueria1.What did you like about the

video?

2.What didn’t you like about the video?

3.What insight does it provide to the issues discussed so far in the workshop?

Babakiueria1.What did you like about the

video?

• Creative – changing the perspective ‘seeing from the other side’.

• Humorous – light-hearted way of expressing their anger/emotion.

• Passivity & response to treatment (‘whites’ response to ‘abuse’ – often very accepting).

• Incorporation of historical events – portrayed in a way that we could understand & relate to.

Babakiueria2. What didn’t you like about the

video?

• Video targeted to people without knowledge of past events.

• Insulting to whites.• Inconsistency – what each

society/culture wanted?• Doesn’t emphasize the good things

about white culture.

Babakiueria

3.What insight does it provide to the issues discussed so far in the workshop?

• Importance of cultural safety – be sensitive.

• Highlights the difficulties of communication between the different cultures.

• Lasting impact of history on generations.

• Different in expression but similar values (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).

Koori Panel

EvaluationWhat did you enjoy most about the

Cultural Safety Workshop?• All of the sessions contributed differently whilst

they covered similar things.• Koori Panel• I really enjoyed the Bafa Bafa activity and the

thoughts and feelings it raised. It gave each of us a first hand experience of trying to assimilate with no assistance, it was surprisingly challenging. GREAT!!

• The setting and method of teaching – created an excellent learning environment.

• Safe environment & learn and discuss topics that can be “scary” and “taboo”.

EvaluationDid the Workshop address your issues

regarding Cultural Safety?

• Yes – it covered various topics in a variety of ways e.g. video, discussion, Bafa Bafa.

• It helped me understand the importance of trying to understand other cultures and not judge people based on your own values.

• Yes – Panel discussion was very insightful.• Yes, I have a better understanding about the

history of Aboriginals in Australia and how that shapes community views today.

EvaluationDo you have any recommendations for

improving the content and presentation of the Workshop?

• Do it early in Medical School, do it again!!!!

• More practical solutions – summary at the end of the day.

• It’d be great if there can be a short pre-reading material on recent developments/issues facing the Aboriginal people of Australia, e.g. Current government policy in the NT.

• Give a brief background of Aboriginal history.

Education Suicide

Cancer

Liver/Kidney Disease

Dispossession of Land

Social Injustice

Unemployment

Drugs

Family breakdow

n

Diabetes

Role models

Identity

Teenage pregnanc

y

Low income

Ill health

Mental Illness

Poverty

Violence

Alcohol abuse

Stress

AccessTo

services

Self Esteem

Smoking

Heart Disease

Diet & Nutrition

Peer Group Pressure

Child Abuse

Gambling

Grief & Loss

Broken spirits

LifestyleGovt Policy