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Review Of Cultural Training For GPs Working In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has been contracted by the Department of Health and Ageing to work with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and peak GP organisations to provide further support and training for General Practitioners (GPs) working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Part of this undertaking involves the development of a Cultural Safety Training (CST) program that is relevant and accessible to GPs working in this important health area. The need for training that uses concepts of cultural safety and cultural respect in a clinical context and is flexible and locally adaptable in its delivery has been highlighted in a number of key Australian government reports as well as in an assessment of the needs of GPs working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health undertaken by the RACGP.

This CST program is intended to provide an additional valuable resource based on principles of best practice, not duplicating existing programs and meeting GP needs which are currently not adequately addressed. To that end, a comprehensive review of cultural training currently available to GPs working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in all Australian states and territories has been undertaken. This document describes the results of that review which will inform the development of the CST program.

Publication Date: 28 July 2005
Authorised By: The RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit