Abstract
Patient-centred cancer treatment and care for Indigenous Australians must align with their self-determined pursuit of holistic well-being and quality-of-life outcomes, deeply rooted in their cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices. Jerrinja Elder Aunty Grace Crossley highlights essential considerations that healthcare clinicians must not only be aware of but actively integrate into their treatment and care protocols to ensure culturally safe and respectful healthcare delivery.
This yarning is vital for healthcare clinicians, sharing community experiences that emphasize the importance of healthcare informed by, responsive to, and respectful of the specific cultural practices and beliefs of First Nations peoples. By embedding these culturally grounded approaches in clinical care, healthcare providers can better meet the holistic health needs of Indigenous patients, fostering trust, improving engagement, and ultimately enhancing cancer care outcomes.
This yarning is vital for healthcare clinicians, sharing community experiences that emphasize the importance of healthcare informed by, responsive to, and respectful of the specific cultural practices and beliefs of First Nations peoples. By embedding these culturally grounded approaches in clinical care, healthcare providers can better meet the holistic health needs of Indigenous patients, fostering trust, improving engagement, and ultimately enhancing cancer care outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | https://gicancer.org.au/resources/seedpod-of-yarns/yarns-for-cancer-researchers-clinicians-and-healthcare-professionals/ |
| Publisher | GI Cancer Institute AGITG |
| Edition | 1 |
| Media of output | Film |
| Size | 4 min 5 seconds |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Madison Shakespeare is an Indigenous researcher, artist, filmmaker, poet, novelist, and musician who proudly identifies as a Gadigal saltwater woman. She has extensive expertise in Indigenous research methodologies and creative storytelling, which she uses to amplify First Nations voices, particularly in the context of cancer care and holistic wellbeing. Shakespeare served on the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) Community Advisory Panel from 2021 to 2023, contributing to advancing early detection, treatment options, and quality cancer care to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on addressing health disparities linked to social determinants and promoting culturally safe, ethical engagement in health research.Jerrinja Elder Aunty Grace Crossley is a respected and influential voice within her community in New South Wales. She has contributed her wisdom and cultural knowledge to support Indigenous wellbeing, cultural preservation, and patient-centred healthcare that respects the spiritual and cultural beliefs of First Nations peoples. Aunty Grace advocates for culturally grounded approaches to health and community care and frequently participates in community events, cultural ceremonies, and educational initiatives. Her leadership fosters respectful, culturally safe relationships between healthcare clinicians and First Nations people, ensuring responsive and respectful care.
Together, Shakespeare and Aunty Grace Crossley represent powerful voices in Indigenous health advocacy, blending scholarly research with traditional cultural wisdom to promote health equity, community empowerment, and culturally responsive cancer care.
Research Statement
Patient-centred cancer treatment and care for Indigenous Australians must support their self-determined pursuit of holistic well-being and quality-of-life outcomes, aligned with their cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices. The Non-Traditional Research Output (NTRO) featuring Jerrinja Elder Aunty Grace Crossley illuminates essential cultural considerations that healthcare clinicians must not only be aware of but actively integrate into their treatment and care protocols.This yarning is essential for healthcare clinicians as it shares community experiences that emphasize the importance of healthcare being informed by, responsive to, and respectful of the specific cultural practices and spiritual beliefs of First Nations peoples. The NTRO plays a critical role in bridging Indigenous worldviews and clinical practice, advocating for the adoption of culturally safe and respectful care models. By centering Indigenous voices and knowledge, the NTRO facilitates improved patient engagement, trust-building, and holistic outcomes, ultimately advancing health equity and the quality of cancer care for Indigenous Australians.
Keywords
- Aboriginal health
- Indigenous knowledges
- Aboriginal Community
- Cancer treatment
- self-determination
- quality of life
