Reflection on Learning: Closing the Gap | Assignment

Running head: REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
Reflection on Learning: Closing the Gap
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
Description
In module 1, we were discussing about the governmental initiatives to the
development of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and one aspect in particular
caught my attention- the Closing the Gap initiative to improve the overall health of the
aboriginal people. In this essay, I am reflecting on my learning experience of that particular
topic using Gibbs’ Reflective model, which includes my reflection of my feelings on learning
the topic, analysis, evaluation, conclusion and action plan (Reljić, Pajnkihar & Fekonja,
2019). Reports on Closing the Gap initiatives show that the health of the Aboriginals and
Torres Strait Islanders have improved significantly but even after 10 or more years of its
existence, the initiative has not been able to reduce health equality for the Aboriginals and
Torres Strait Islanders, on the contrary it has increased (Schultz, 2020).
Feelings
Feelings before being exposed to the issue
Before being introduced to the topic formally, I had the idea that the Close the Gap
initiatives have been more than successful. I thought that they have successfully reduced the
health gaps in all aspects and by 2030, they would reach their desired target. I also believed
that what small gaps remained are mainly due to the fault of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait
Islanders people themselves as they are unwilling to take part in the programs.
How did you feel now after being further informed about the issue?
Through the lecture, as our professor talked about the 7 targets of the Closing the Gap
initiative, the statistics of improvement and the places where challenges still lie, the social
determinants of health, some of which are purely related to aboriginals, I realized that I did

2REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
not have complete idea about the issues that the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders face
and the barriers that are leading to the increasing gaps in their health equality. Having
medical facilities and support are desired by all and aboriginals are no different (Purnell et
al., 2016).
Critical Evaluation
Was it good or bad? Why do you think this way?
The experience was an eye-opener for me. As I realized that my assumptions had
been wrong and there is still a long way to go for aboriginal health, I started to question the
underlying reason behind the failure of health equality. I assumed that it is because of
aboriginal people’s unwillingness to participate into programs but through the learning I
realize that the social and cultural factors as well as the limitations like their remote locations,
intergenerational trauma and lack of governmental support has been the reason for the failure
and mental health issues (Das, Kini, Garg & Parker, 2018).
How do you think you knew what you knew?
The assumption that I made was due to the stereotyping that I prevalent in the society
about the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. I realized that the barrier lies in their
participation, as the 2020 report clearly indicates that most programs where the aboriginals
have participated have been successful and the health equality program failed due to lack of
participation as well.
Was your response to the issue or topic due to an experience and/or limited
consideration or understanding of the issue?

3REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
The response that I had about the issue was mostly due to limited consideration,
understanding and information regarding the issue. While I knew about the initiative, the
programs, activities and updates were not known to me.
Analysis
Have any historical, political, cultural and environmental factors that you have learnt
about influenced your attitudes and beliefs about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples? If so how?
I believe that the lack of systematic learning, proper information and extensive
stereotyping of people might have influenced my thinking about the aboriginal people’s
health. Many people talking about how the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are being
given more than anybody. In statistics, the success rate is also mostly presented which
actually takes us away from the challenges or the areas of failure (Thompson, Gee, Talley &
Nicholas, 2018).
Conclusion
What conclusions have you reached?
Through the learning of the module and this reflection, I have reached to the
conclusion that stereotyping and isolation has been widespread in the society as far as the
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are concerned and that might have been the reason of
my single minded thinking. I have concluded that I need to let go of the biases and
assumptions and learn things anew.
What do you know now that you did not know before?

4REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
Through the learning, I now know that the challenges that the Aboriginals and Torres
Strait Islanders face are due to their cultural and social diversity, as well as colonial history.
The trauma that they faced has been reflected through generation and it will take a long time
before that overcome that (Toebes & Stronks, 2016).
Action plan
What have you learnt about yourself, Aboriginal people and Australian society? Can
you make a positive change? What else do you think you need to learn?
I have learnt through the reflection that it helps in deeper understanding and insight.
The knowledge that I gained can be used to make positive changes in my thinking and
reducing biases. I later modules, we will learn more about aboriginal people and their health
which will help me become a better practitioner.
What are you going to do in the future as a nurse or how will you do to deliver safe
quality care to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People?
As a nurse I would ensure that I give quality, equal, inclusive and ethical services to
all my patients. I would also ensure to be culturally responsive and responsible.

5REFLECTION ON LEARNING: CLOSING THE GAP
References
Das, M., Kini, R., Garg, G., & Parker, R. (2018). Australian aboriginal and torres strait
islanders' mental health issues: A litany of social causation. Indian Journal of Social
Psychiatry, 34(4), 328.
Purnell, T. S., Calhoun, E. A., Golden, S. H., Halladay, J. R., Krok-Schoen, J. L., Appelhans,
B. M., & Cooper, L. A. (2016). Achieving health equity: closing the gaps in health
care disparities, interventions, and research. Health Affairs, 35(8), 1410-1415.
Reljić, N. M., Pajnkihar, M., & Fekonja, Z. (2019). Self-reflection during first clinical
practice: The experiences of nursing students. Nurse education today, 72, 61-66.
Schultz, R. (2020). Closing the Gap and the Sustainable Development Goals: listening to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australian and New Zealand Journal of
Public Health, 44(1), 11-13.
Thompson, G. N., Gee, C., Talley, A. C., & Nicholas, J. (2018). Indigenous health: one gap is
closed. The Medical Journal of Australia, 209(1), 14-15.
Toebes, B., & Stronks, K. (2016). Closing the Gap: A Human Rights Approach towards
Social Determinants of Health. european Journal of health law, 23(5), 510-524.