HLT54115 Nursing: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety

This case study addresses the critical aspects of nursing care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, focusing on cultural safety and sensitivity. It examines Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and its impact, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The study delves into cultural awareness and sensitivity, highlighting the need for nurses to respect and understand diverse cultural backgrounds. It also discusses the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 and the lasting effects of the 'stolen generation' on intergenerational health. Effective communication strategies, including indirect questioning and building trust, are explored to improve patient-nurse interactions. The importance of employing culturally diverse nurses and addressing mistrust within Indigenous communities is also emphasized. The study concludes by identifying potential areas of concern for Indigenous patients and strategies to overcome judgmental attitudes and discrimination within the healthcare system. This assignment is designed to help students understand key aspects related to indigenous healthcare and improve their grades. Desklib provides a range of solved assignments and resources to assist students.

Running head: NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE
ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 1
Nursing and the Torres Strait Islander and the Aboriginal People
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date of Submission

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 2
Nursing and the Torres Strait Islander and the Aboriginal People
Question 1
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a condition related to strep throat. A group ‘A’ bacteria
known as Streptococcus causes this condition. The bacterium causes throat infection and if not
detected and treated early, it can cause permanent damage to the heart leading to stroke or even
death. In cases where a child experiences recurring or untreated throat infections, it can cause
rheumatic fever. RHD is caused by overcrowding, poor sanitation, and air pollutions just to
mention a few. Therefore, Shakira might have contracted the condition from this kind of
environment. Other than the environment, the environment can also be inherited. In this case,
Shakira might have inherited this kind of gene from her father or mother. Early diagnosis and
treatment are essential (O’Sullivan, 2013). In Shakira’s case, she needs a daily dose of antibiotics
until she is 25 years of age to prevent recurrence of the condition and to prevent the development
of heart infections and other bacterial endocarditis.
Question 2
(a) Cultural Awareness
Cultural safety in health care delivery involves placing substantial consideration to cultural
sensitivity and cultural awareness to all the patients (Nursing council of New Zealand, 2012). In
this case, practicing nurses are expected to provide quality and safe health care by considering
the issue of cultural diversity; this can be achieved by recognizing and respecting cultural

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 3
diversities. Further, enrolled nurses should respect the rights of individuals from other cultures in
order to meet their needs and expectations (Faculty of Health, 2013)
(b) Cultural Sensitivity
According to the American Council of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, cultural sensitivity is the
code of conduct whereby a practicing nurse has the knowledge and interpersonal skills that
enable them to understand, appreciate and work with individuals from a culture different from
their own. A good example of cultural sensitivity is the Amish couple who come from a minority
group in America who do not consider enrolling for any kind of medical insurance because of
their culture. After the couple went through a cesarean, is when a nurse advised them to enroll in
Medicaid. In such a case, the nurse was culturally sensitive; this enabled her to recognize that the
couple was not using the government aid. Therefore, by helping the couple enroll in Medicaid,
the nurse will be in a position to reach the community (McGough, Wynaden & Wright, 2017).
Question 3.1
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 stipulate that the government to,
(a) Involve the people in the formulation and the implementation of policies that affect them
(b) Promote the self- management and self- adequacy of this people
(c) Enhance and promote the overall development of this population (The Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Act, 2005).
(d) Involve this group of people in the formulation and the implementation of policies by the
Commonwealth, the State, territorial, and local governments without the deviation of
responsibilities.

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 4
Question 3.2
The ‘stolen generation’ is about how children and relatives remove themselves forcibly or
voluntarily from their families. The separation has resulted in adverse intergeneration health
problems (Dwyer, Willis & Kelly, 2014). The cause of the health problems is the trauma of the
separation, which led to drug and substance abuse causing mental health complications. These
complications have thereon bee passed to the subsequent generation through the parents. In this
case, the offspring developed behavioral and emotional challenges exposing them hyperactivity,
emotional and character disorder that means that they are also likely to engage in drug and
substance abuse. Further, the stolen generation has poor parenting, this led to redundant
intellectual development leading to depression, substance abuse, and suicidal (Dudgeon &
Hirvonen, 2014).
Question 4
The participation in decision-making involves an input from the community and family due to
the structure in kinship and family ties. In order for a nurse to communicate effectively, they
should first inquire with the family in order to facilitate the information that is to be passed is
understood by all. Further, the nurse should be respectful in the way they handle the patient and
their family, they should also give the family ample time to discuss private affairs. The nurse
should also be confidential when dealing with the information they acquire from the patient to
avoid injury. For instance, if the nurse is dealing with a special case that does not require
community intervention; they should handle the information discreetly (Bortoli, Coles & Dolan,

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 5
2015). In addition, nurses should build rapport and trust so that the patients can communicate
openly with the nurses.
Question 5
When dealing with Shakira and the family, the nurse should use indirect questions a strategy to
collect clinical information. In this case, nurses should pose questions giving them to respond.
The nurse should use clear and plain language that is easily understood. Secondly, the caregiver
should pay attention to every detail by avoiding interruptions. Finally, the nurse should show that
they have understood what the patient had said by giving a summary of the session while
showing an understanding (Bennett, 2015).
Question 6
In order to help Shakira and her family, a culturally diverse nurse should be employed. The nurse
should be ready to accept and respect the behaviors, culture, systems, and policies of the patient.
In addition, employing a culturally diverse nurse will help ease up the situation
Question 7
I comprehend that the now- indigenous society are treated with mistrust. The mistrust stems from
the era of the European settlement and the forceful separation of children from their families
leading to the ‘stolen generation’. The mistrust is further heated as the indigenous people feel
that they are alienated from the now- indigenous whose culture is separate from theirs.
Therefore, they feel intimidated as their culture is different and they are being criticized for that
(Beckett & Keen, 2015).
Question 8 (a)

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 6
1. Will I be stereotyped, criticized, discriminated, treated with contempt, or ignored by the
health care provider?
2. Can I fully trust the health care providers with my personal information?
Question 8 (b)
1. Judgmental, arrogant, and incompetent health care providers who intimidate patients
2. Racism and discrimination that frightens patients making them powerless and
uncomfortable

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 7
References
Beckett, J., & Keen, I. (2015). Encounters with indigeneity: writing about Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples. Aboriginal Studies Press.
Bennett, B. (2015). “Stop deploying your white privilege on me!” Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander engagement with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Australian
Social Work, 68(1), 19-31.
De Bortoli, L., Coles, J., & Dolan, M. (2015). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in
child protection: A sample from the Victorian Children’s Court. Journal of Social
Work, 15(2), 186-206.
Dudgeon, P., &Hirvonen, T. (2014). Dark chapters in Australian history: Adopted children from
the Stolen Generations. InPsych: The Bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society
Ltd, 36(4), 12.
Dwyer, J., Willis, E., & Kelly, J. (2014). Hospitals caring for rural Aboriginal patients: holding
response and denial. Australian Health Review, 38(5), 546-551.
McGough, S., Wynaden, D., & Wright, M. (2017). Experience of providing cultural safety in
mental health to Aboriginal patients: A grounded theory study. International Journal of
Mental Health Nursing.
O’Sullivan, B. (2013). Considering culture in Aboriginal care.

NURSING AND THE TORESS STRAIT ISLANDER AND THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 8
O’Sullivan, B. (2013). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education: An introduction for the
nursing profession. Cambridge University Press.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012C00258