Credit Points 10

Coordinator Liz Flannery Opens in new window

Description Indigenous Australian Health, Wellness and Culture subject will specifically enable nursing and midwifery students to investigate, discuss and develop an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, health statistics, historical and present-day issues associated with poor health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The concepts of cultural safety, health and illness will be discussed in terms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students will explore and reflect on the impact of the different attitudes, institutional policies and value systems relating to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline General Nursing

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 1025 Person-centred Care across the lifespan

Equivalent Subjects NURS 2001 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
NURS 2039 - Indigenous Australian Health Wellness and Culture

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4691 Bachelor of Nursing, 4780 Bachelor of Nursing – WSU Online or 4684 Bachelor of Midwifery or 4693 Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced) or 4692 Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

Assumed Knowledge

The concept of person-centred care as an approach that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs, culture and values of individual people throughout the lifespan. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Appraise Aboriginal health as not just physical wellbeing of an individual but refers to the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the whole community

2. Investigate the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

3.  Reflect on how colonisation has impacted the contemporary health situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

4.  Compare current demographic, health indicators and statistical trends for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with non-Indigenous peoples in Australia

5.  Critique strategies to deliver culturally safe health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients from a strengths-based approach

6.  Appraise the role of nurses and/or midwives in achieving culturally safe health care for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Subject Content

1. Examine the culture of nursing and midwifery, along with the broader health system, in terms of their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service experiences.
2. Describe the historical development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health services and health sector initiatives. 
3. Analyse the contemporary role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, organisations, and communities in delivering culturally safe health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients from a strengths-based approach.

a. Meaning of health and illness
b. Values, belief systems, attitudes, bias, cultural safety, and practices in the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
c. Definitions of culture from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
d. Health and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
e. Social determinants of health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
f. Cultural isolation
g. Poverty
h. Discrimination – social and institutional
i. Historical events and health care policies - relate the impact it has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
j. Health care policies and service provision – Bridging the gap
k. Ethical care in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
l. Models, theories, and cultural care
m. NMBA Standards for Registered Nurse Practice
n. Relate the importance of culturally appropriate care and service provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
o. Accesses and analyses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice

Special Requirements

Essential equipment

Access to an internet enabled device is essential in order to be able to: access course materials; to participate in discussion groups; and to access additional resources provided by the lecturer during the session. See http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/uwsonline_student_support for further information.