Achieving cultural competence'

This requires:

1. Institutional support for effective intercultural service delivery - policies and standards, training and guidelines

Check these links for further information:

http://www.georgetown.edu/research/gucdc/nccc/

http://www.omhrc.gov/wwwroot/clas/

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/default.asp

2. Individual expertise in intercultural communication

  • access relevant training courses (e.g. Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Program run by the Department of Health and Community Services; courses run by Aboriginal Resource and Development Services and other private providers; language courses such as the YolÅ‹u Matha courses run by the Faculty of Indigenous Research and Education at Charles Darwin University)
  • locate resources and other sources of information (e.g. people with recognised expertise relevant to your needs) to help you work more effectively with your Indigenous patients
  • learn to work collaboratively with Indigenous patients, families, interpreters, cultural brokers, health workers and other co-workers
  • understanding power relationships, implementing effective communication strategies etc. Your Indigenous co-workers are the experts in how to work effectively within their culture.