Indigenous issues : a practical example : the Byalawa Project

The need for health professions to work safely and effectively with patients and clients who come from diverse social and cultural backgrounds is an international issue of concern. Tertiary educators understand that cross-cultural competence requires specific attention in health sciences professional preparation programs (Purden, 2005). Furthermore, teaching students to work with Indigenous peoples is an essential component of such programs. In Australia, the Closing the Gap Initiative focuses on reducing disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians’ life expectancy and morbidity (http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/indigenousaustralians/ programs-services/closing-the-gap). This government initiative has implications for curricula across the health professions. For example, the Deans of Australian and New Zealand Medical Programs Council has committed to inclusive training of pre-practice medical students, which includes cultural safety in all aspects of medical education (http://www.medicaldeans.org.au/projects-activities/indigenoushealth/cdams-indigenous-health-curriculum-framework). In response to the need for curriculum development in Indigenous health, educators must seek resources that facilitate students’ cross-cultural communication skills. The Byalawa project (http://www.byalawa.com) is a web-based resource for health professionals and health professional students to develop culturally safe interviewing practices. The multimedia resources are research-based and include six video case studies, learning outcomes and themes, sample lesson plans, learning and teaching resources and links to other relevant materials.