Reflection Report: Aboriginal Health and Gibbs Reflective Model

This report is a reflection on a module concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, focusing on the impact of the stolen generation and health disparities. The student utilizes the Gibbs reflective model, encompassing description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan, to critically analyze Professor Lisa Pulver Jackson's lecture on the topic. The reflection explores historical injustices, colonization's effects, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare. It examines the emotional impact of the stolen generation, the health gaps, and the need for policy changes. The student concludes with a commitment to apply learned reflective skills and ethical standards in future nursing practice, aiming to address stereotypes and promote culturally safe care.

Running head: REFLECTION
Reflection
Name
ID
Course
Unit
Lecturer
Date

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REFLECTION
Introduction
According to Ardian et al, (2019), Gibbs reflective model provide systematic framework that
enhances ones thought and experiences about a particular scenario. However, when applying
Gibbs model, it is important to follow the six phases outlines in the model. These phases include
description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, and conclusion and action plan. Stolen generation is a
subtopic that appears to be critical issue in module 2. In this assignment, I am going to make use
of the Gibbs model to analyze module 2 lecture that talks about Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Health status.
Description
One of the topics raised by Professor Lisa Pulver Jackson in module 2 lecture that I would like to
reflect upon is stolen generation. The statement suggest that there are several injustice cases that
have happened to Aboriginal community. Being a stolen generation the community have faced
many health inequality scenarios. Stolen generation is where children from Aboriginal
community were separated from their families during the colonial period. The situation caused a
lot of trauma among Aboriginal families.
Feelings
When Professor Lisa talked about stolen generation the impression that came in my mind was
that there was a long history that relate to the issue. One of the feelings that I had was that the
Aboriginal community were previously weak and any community could come and take what
belongs them. Historically, communities had been fighting and the members who could win took
the leadership. Being in leadership makes the community feel superior. The power can make
them make them come up with rules that disadvantage other communities. The picture I had built

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on the topic was that Aboriginal communities had been disadvantaged in Australia and they
continuously suffer because of the historical injustices.
Evaluation
The process of colonization was very rough. Many activities took place across the universe that
affected many people. According to Altman, (2018), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
are one of the community that their health were affected with the process of colonization. The
policy of assimilation was forcibly removing indigenous children from their families. The act
was against human rights. In the bringing home report, it was clear that the separation of families
led to deterioration of health among Aboriginal families.
Personally I also think that separation of these families brought a lot of negative impact in their
health. According to Gannon, (2017), the selective provision of health and education may have
been an impact to every generation. Many Australians may have developed stereotype to judge
the Aboriginal community. To raise against these odds, it needs confidence.
Analysis
There is always a strong bond that exist among the family members. One of occasion that prove
this bond is when a family is sick. However, in Australia, Schultz, (2020) stated that there are
multiple things that influence the belief and treatment towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people. Some of these factors include policies that were made in the past. The separation
of children from their families in Aboriginal people caused a lot of trauma. It is history that have
been repeating itself where these two community feel as outsiders in Australia. Consequently,
the bring back home report brought hope to these families. However, Fowler et al, (2018) stated
that it is important for the community take responsibility of understanding the opportunities

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available. Health awareness would assist to reduce multiple environmental factors that affect the
community’s health according to Skerrett et al, (2018). Apart from that, it is important for the
community to review on cultural habits. For example the drinking habits might also be affecting
the life expectancy.
Before attending Professor Lisa’s class and watching the lecture video, I had a though that
everybody in Australia have equal access to health care services regardless of community. I
thought the health services provided to people in the city is same as to village areas.
Consequently, after this class, I have learnt that despite Australia being a developed country,
there still a lot of health gaps that need to be filled. For example, many indigenous communities
are still facing poverty, unemployment and life expectancy issues that are affecting their health.
Conclusion
One of the things that I came to understand is that many of us have developed stereotype about
the Aboriginal community. The belief have affected how we think and judge the members of this
society. Something that is evident from Professor Lisa’s lecture is that there is still a gap that
need to be filled. It includes education of the members of Aboriginal society on their health
according to Wilson et al, (2019). Apart from that it is important to create strong policies in
Australia that protect the community from continuous racism.
Action plan
After this lecture, I have gained reflective skills that would change my beliefs now and in future.
One of the things that I have come to learn is that separation of families cause trauma which can
be passed from one generation to another, I will depend on nursing standards to serve people.
Having codes of ethics will enable me view everyone as equal.

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References
Altman, J. (2018). Beyond closing the gap: Valuing diversity in Indigenous Australia. Canberra,
ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian
National University.
Ardian, P., Hariyati, R. T. S., & Afifah, E. (2019). Correlation between implementation case
reflection discussion based on the Graham Gibbs Cycle and nurses’ critical thinking
skills. Enfermeria clinica, 29, 588-593.
Fowler, A. C., Ewens, B., Vafeas, C., Delves, L., Hayward, C., Nannup, N., & Baum, G. (2018).
Closing the gap: a whole of school approach to aboriginal and Torres Strait islander
inclusivity in higher education. Nurse education in practice, 30, 86-90.
Gannon, M. (2017). Indigenous taskforce: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the
solutions to close the gap. Australian Medicine, 29(5), 20.
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.
Skerrett, D. M., Gibson, M., Darwin, L., Lewis, S., Rallah, R., & De Leo, D. (2018). Closing the
gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth suicide: A social–emotional wellbeing
service innovation project. Australian psychologist, 53(1), 13-22.

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Wilson, T., Zhao, Y., & Condon, J. (2019). Limited progress in closing the mortality gap for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians of the Northern Territory. Australian
and New Zealand journal of public health, 43(4), 340-345.