Wendy Edmondson - Health Professionals and Indigenous Health: Working at the Interface

Burda-Burda Balayi
Health Professionals and Indigenous Health

Burda-Burda Balayi
Health Professionals and Indigenous Health

Working at the interface

EDITED BY
Wendy Edmondson
Robyn Williams

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Wendy Edmondson and Robyn Williams 2022

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First published 2022

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ISBN 9780190327194

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CONTENTS

LORRAINE MULLER, HEATHER BURTON AND SAMANTHA LUDWIG

WENDY EDMONDSON

ROBYN WILLIAMS

DAVID PAUL AND ANDREA MCKIVETT

TANYA SCHRAMM AND MAGGIE WALTER

WENDY EDMONDSON, SUMMER MAY FINLAY, DAVID COOPER AND ROBYN WILLIAMS

PAT DUDGEON, KATE DERRY, MONIQUE PLATELL, GRAHAM GEE AND HELEN MILROY

WENDY EDMONDSON

JUANITA SHERWOOD WITH OLIVIA NIGRO

PREFACE

The aim of this book is to explore and challenge the paradigm that essentialises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and health through Western frameworks. The intention is to transform the deficit narrative and problematic constructions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to a strengths-based discourse that promotes positive health outcomes. While the text may raise some discomfort, it will be balanced by positive narratives and strengths-based strategies for health professionals. Through a decolonising and deconstructive approach, the book will explore issues of reconciliation, truth-telling and shared futures for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people.

Discussion of race, culture and identity will be undertaken in the context of colonial power, ongoing oppression, and Western social and scientific constructs. Other theories, such as critical race theory and critical whiteness theory, will either be examined separately or embedded in the text, depending on context.

The text presents rich learning opportunities for students, academics and health professionals. Tools and strategies for exploring and reflecting on the topics have been recommended, case studies showcase both ineffective and successful interactions, and reflective exercises provide opportunities for readers to explore themes using a new, or refocused, lens.

is about understanding the way specific cultures inform the creation of identity and sense of self, and how to develop skills to interact respectfully and positively with cultures other than your own. The focus of this chapter is the distinction between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous peoples of Australia. Appreciating how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives as Australians have been racialised in the colonisation process is a necessary step towards accepting and respecting differences between cultures, and the value this can give at a personal and professional level.

examines key topics relating to the settler colonial history of Australia. These topics include pre-colonisation cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the impacts of colonisation from first contact with the British, subsequent frontier conflicts and key government policies until the 1967 Referendum. The role of history-telling, and how and why historical narratives are told from diverse perspectives, are then explored. The last section of the chapter investigates some of the discourse and disagreements between historians in the narration of Australias settler colonial history, known as the history wars.

provides an overview of cultural safety as a model of health care in general, and specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The history, contention, criticisms of, and necessity for, cultural safety are discussed, along with related topics of racism, white privilege, discrimination and power. The principles of cultural safety, including social justice, trust, respect, self-awareness and self-reflection, are discussed in relation to negotiating culturally safe practice. Robust frameworks for organisations and systems are also highlighted as key components of cultural safety.

explores the journey of health professionals in building the skills and capabilities in being able to contribute meaningfully to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and well-being. Given the continuum of learning that is the reality of Indigenous health capacity development, the health-care professionals capability development begins at university and extends into the health-care setting as a lifelong learning journey.

begins with a critical examination of the Closing the Gap policy framework, particularly its flaws, and how it contributes to the deficit discourse about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The authors then turn to a deeper understanding of the Closing the Gap Refresh, and how the privileging of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to facilitate meaningful change needs to occur. Challenges with the current approaches to data in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are also interrogated. The final section of the chapter addresses the crucial importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data sovereignty and governance to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to facilitate the achievement of their aspirations.