Aust Fam Physician
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The terms 'cultural safety' and 'cultural competence' are used widely in indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse health contexts. They form the basis for effective patient centred care and the professional advocacy role of the general practitioner. ⋯ Cultural safety is the experience of the recipient of care. It is comparable to clinical safety, allowing the patient to feel safe in health care interactions and be involved in changes to health services. It has been suggested that cultural safety training may be one mechanism to reduce disparities in indigenous health status. Cultural competence is a broader term that focuses on the capacity of the health system to improve health and wellbeing by integrating culture into the delivery of health services.
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Detection and treatment of mental illness in indigenous communities is often complicated by cross cultural difference, social complexity and comorbid disorders. ⋯ Shifting to a self management and recovery orientation of mental health services has proven to be challenging. The challenges to autonomy and ownership of treatment plans are even more manifest for indigenous people. Therefore, there is a need to focus on effective and efficient brief interventions that promote self management.royal, australian, college, general, practitioner, gp, doctor, medical, practice, racgp, health, care, medication, information, practitioners, family, physician, afp, December, 2008, Indigenous, Health, motivational, care, planning
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I am writing this quest editorial for this 'Indigenous health' issue of Australian Family Physician because i have reached an important goal - one that many times i thought i would not achieve. I would like to share my story with others, particularly my Aboriginal brothers and sisters, so that they may be encouraged to keep doing and to reach their goals too.