OT5202 - Cultural Competency Principles in Australian Healthcare Practice

Applicants must have completed an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline at an Australian University or hold an equivalent international entry level qualification. Note: Completion of the subject will not enable Australian registration of overseas qualified health professionals.

This subject was developed in consultation with the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre at James Cook University. It focuses on equipping students with knowledge and skills in cultural competency through the development of critical reflexivity. Students will explore current Indigenous theories and models of health, in order to develop deeper insight into key opportunities for change within their current models of service delivery. Core elements of cultural competency will be examined and linked to healthcare practice in order to support meaningful and sustainable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Learning Outcomes

• explore current Indigenous healthcare models/frameworks and critically evaluate how they can be embedded within current healthcare practice;
• demonstrate advanced skills in analysing and synthesising current evidence surrounding health priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and how it influences professional decision making;
• critically examine elements that support the development of cultural competency and analyse their interplay and the impact they have on the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities;
• develop advanced knowledge in concepts of self determination, resilience and strength-based approaches as reflected in Indigenous theories and evaluate their role in shaping current and future healthcare practice;
• create a document that details key implementation strategies for changing practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Subject Assessment

• Written > Position paper - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Literature review - (60%) - Individual
• Written > Self-reflection task - (%) - Individual.

Special Assessment Requirements

Passing requirements: complete and submit all assessment items; achieve a cumulative score of at least 50% after the application of any penalties such as late penalties; pass every assessment item.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.