Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait. Answer: Introduction Reflecting on the term cultural safety I have learnt from my course of study that cultural safety is all about accepting another culture. The choice of population for my reflective writing is the Torres Trait Islander and the aboriginal people. Cultural safety is not just about treating the people well and in a culturally respectful manner but is also about empowerment for interacting actively by believing in them (Gair et al., 2015). It is the cultural safety that helps to broaden and transform the discourse and health inequalities experienced by the diverse population. I have understood that there are several key principles to understand the cultural safety. One of the principle factors is that influence the cultural safety is the economical, historical and the social contexts on the health status of the aboriginals. Power inequalities for the aboriginal people have long been established by power, paternalism, authority, biased health care policies. In this course I have understood about the essence of cultural beliefs and values. It is to be identified that strong sense of cultural history and the traditions, helps a person to build a strong sense of cultural identity. In this course I have learnt that cultural identity gives a sense of self esteem and provides support to the overall well being of the person. I belong from Middle East and stay in Australia as an international student. It should be mentioned that religion is very tightly integrated in the cultures of the Middle East, yet in Australia I was never deterred from practicing my religion and my culture (Hole et al., 2013). No kind of restrictions was imposed on me regarding the cuisines and the traditional beliefs. Yet, I have tried to imbibe myself in the Australian Culture. But I have not seen this acceptance of culture among the Torres Trait Islander people. As much I have devoted myself in the learning of the aboriginals, I have understood that the discrimination that had occurred with the aboriginal population. The government has always tried to assimilate the aboriginals in the westernized model by devaluing their culture. The aboriginal children were forced to send in schools run by churches, where they were punished for using aboriginal languages or for observing aboriginal culture. I believe that there has been a breaching of the human rights, where every human being is allowed free to enjoy their rights self respect and dignity. While reflecting my feelings on the cultural safety my first question to myself was how clear is the concept of cultural safety? I have understood that cultural safety is a significant variability and changes how each receivers of the care perceive them, or how the health care professionals understand that they are delivering a culturally safe care. Cultural safety has long been criticized as it lacked a strong framework. The first question that came to my mind is why a cultural safety is so important for the aboriginals and the Torrait Strait Islander people? The fact sheets show that aboriginals have long been experiencing a disproportionate burden of social disadvantage and illness as compared to the non aboriginals. It has also been found that this group of people suffers from high levels of discrimination and racism. I have recognized the cultures of aboriginals as a source of strength, happiness, resilience, identity and confidence always have good impact on the health of the aboriginals. My learning experience was good as I could understand why cultural safety is the crucial factor while providing care to the aboriginal people. Previously, I had a predetermined notion about the aboriginals like any other international students, which has changed profoundly after my exposure to knowledge. Previously I had a misconception about aboriginals. My belief was erected from the readings of numerous articles like Cameron et al. (2014) who have stated that aboriginal people are susceptible to violence, alcohols and substance abuse and are found as the vulnerable population related to antisocial activities. Understanding of a new culture has helped me to develop an acceptance towards any culture, which I feel is the core value nursing and midwifery practice. My learning about the aboriginal culture has made me realize the importance of spirituality and family. This kind of a learning experience is necessary as in my nursing career I have to encounter several patients coming from a diversified cultural background. I need to understand that aboriginal people are more likely to quit hospital care due to the factors like delayed care, or long standing queue, improper and delayed referrals. They are more likely to rely upon their traditional concept of treatment other than depending on the westernized concept of treatment. In my course I have studied about the history of the aboriginals, that they have occupied Australia for at least 60,000 years (Sherwood, 2013). From the course of study, I have learnt that the colonization history of the aboriginals have been carried forward from generations to generations and have been found to be responsible for the health status of the aboriginal people. The aboriginals were removed from their land, the aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their parents, and they were not allowed to go outside after 6.00 PM at night (Sherwood, 2013). The indigenous Australians were barred from the basic rights because they were indigenous (Gair et al., 2015). The literatures have also explained that a culturally safe care nursing have brought about better outcomes in maternal and antenatal care. Cultural safety have found to useful in dealing with psychotic disorders. According to Nielsen et al., (2014) better health outcomes have been found in collaborative care by the aboriginal nurses and traditional healers. I have gone through several health care data and have found that aboriginals have been facing disparities in terms of health care, education and employment. Being culturally aware is the first step towards cultural safety. The cultural sensitivity is the next step that helps in the self exploration of the personal viewpoints (Brown et al., 2016). It is the cultural safety that centers on the basic human rights, dignity, respect, autonomy, safety and empowerment (Brown et al., 2016). I have understood how the health inequalities are actually influenced by the cultural nature of the health care regimens. According to Gerlach, (2012) cultural safety promotes way in which the nurses help in bringing the postcolonial viewpoints in clinical practice and research. My learning has empowered me with the knowledge that cultural safety enhances the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient. The application of a culturally safe care encourages the nurses to assess the differentials and their effects in their own nursing career (Sherwood, 2013). Cultural safe care is a must while dealing with the aboriginal women. Women might find it difficult to discuss about the birthing information or other gynecological interventions with a nurse of opposite gender. Hence gander match is extremely useful while considering culturally safe care. Conclusion I have understood that in order to improve the health status outcome in the aboriginals the provision of the health service needs to be more responsive towards the cultural differences and the influence of the conscious and unconscious racism. Although I have gained substantial knowledge about cultural safe care, I have realized that I need more extensive reading in order to understand the aboriginal culture. I am well aware of the fact that aboriginals are more family oriented, close to the nature and still believe in the idea of kingship. I am keen to understand more on the health care beliefs of the aboriginals such that I can contribute more to their care. Action plan As a registered nurse, I would be able to foster a cultural safety in my nursing care, which can be done by using language interpreters, as language can be a barrier and hence interpreter can be used to facilitate effective communication. A sound relationship and a non hostile environment can be made for the patients. Communication should be done by using simple short languages and simple open ended questions as these helps the patients coming from diversified cultural background to overcome fear and hesitation. Gender matching should be ensured for women from diverse cultural or religious background. My verbal and non verbal way of communication such as facial expression and eye contact, because eye contact can be considered as an act of disrespect towards the elderly people of the community. One should have an acceptance towards their culture for preparing a collaborative treatment plan. References Brown, A. E., Middleton, P. F., Fereday, J. A., Pincombe, J. I. (2016). Cultural safety and midwifery care for Aboriginal womenA phenomenological study.Women and Birth,29(2), 196-202. Cameron, B. L., Plazas, M. D. P. C., Salas, A. S., Bearskin, R. L. B., Hungler, K. (2014). Understanding inequalities in access to health care services for Aboriginal people: a call for nursing action.Advances in Nursing Science,37(3), E1-E16. Gair, S., Miles, D., Savage, D., Zuchowski, I. (2015). Racism unmasked: The experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in social work field placements.Australian Social Work,68(1), 32-48. Hole, R. D., Evans, M., Berg, L. D., Bottorff, J. L., Dingwall, C., Alexis, C., ... Smith, M. L. (2015). Visibility and voice: Aboriginal people experience culturally safe and unsafe health care.Qualitative health research,25(12), 1662-1674. Nielsen, A. M., Alice Stuart, L., Gorman, D. (2014). Confronting the cultural challenge of the whiteness of nursing: Aboriginal registered nurses perspectives.Contemporary nurse,48(2), 190-196. Sherwood, J. (2013). ColonisationIts bad for your health: The context of Aboriginal health.Contemporary Nurse,46(1), 28-40.