1. Understanding practitioner professionalism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health: lessons from student and registrar placements at an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare service
- Author
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Shaun Ewen, David Paul, Vivian Lyall, Deborah A. Askew, and Melissa Wheeler
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Medical psychology ,Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ,Students, Medical ,020205 medical informatics ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,Health Personnel ,education ,Pilot Projects ,02 engineering and technology ,Population health ,Indigenous ,Interviews as Topic ,03 medical and health sciences ,Young Adult ,0302 clinical medicine ,Social skills ,Nursing ,Physicians ,Health care ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Urban Health Services ,Medicine ,Health Services, Indigenous ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Competence (human resources) ,Physician-Patient Relations ,Primary Health Care ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Internship and Residency ,Middle Aged ,Professionalism ,Principles of learning ,Community health ,Organizational Case Studies ,Female ,Clinical Competence ,Queensland ,business - Abstract
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to be pathologised in medical curriculum, leaving graduates feeling unequipped to effectively work cross-culturally. These factors create barriers to culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this pilot pre-post study, the learning experiences of seven medical students and four medical registrars undertaking clinical placements at an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare service in 2014 were followed. Through analysis and comparison of pre- and post-placement responses to a paper-based case study of a fictitious Aboriginal patient, four learning principles for medical professionalism were identified: student exposure to nuanced, complex and positive representations of Aboriginal peoples; positive practitioner role modelling; interpersonal skills that build trust and minimise patient–practitioner relational power imbalances; and knowledge, understanding and skills for providing patient-centred, holistic care. Though not exhaustive, these principles can increase the capacity of practitioners to foster culturally safe and optimal health care for Aboriginal peoples. Furthermore, competence and effectiveness in Aboriginal health care is an essential component of medical professionalism.
- Published
- 2016