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Knowing what questions to ask

Fiona's story

Fiona is an Australian South Sea Islander teenager who has been admitted into hospital. Her mother sits at her bedside.

Read the following dialogue between Fiona and her nurse.

Nurse:
I'm Gertie. I'll be looking after you this evening.
Fiona:
Hi.
Nurse:
The doctor will be along shortly. If you want to turn on the TV, just use these controls here. If you need me for anything, press this button here.
Fiona:
OK.
Nurse:
You should like your stay with us. We all have Aboriginal cross-cultural training, so we know how to look after you. So can I get you anything? Are you OK?
Fiona:
Yes, I'm OK.
Nurse:
Is there anything you'd like to ask me?
Fiona:
No.

The nurse is friendly and attentive. Fiona asks no questions and smiles politely at the nurse.

However, the nurse can sense that Fiona is not entirely comfortable or happy. She knows that there's something Fiona wants to ask but is too shy to ask it.

Think about icon

Think about...

Think about the questions you think Fiona might like to ask. Jot down any questions you can think of. Draw upon the knowledge that you've gained throughout this workshop.

When you're ready, select the Sensitive solutions button to see a list of possible questions that Fiona might like to ask.

Sensitive solutions

Why doesn't Fiona ask her questions?

The truth is neither Fiona nor her mother know what questions to ask as they do not know their rights or entitlements.

Neither do they want to create any trouble for the nurse.

Neither are they used to asking direct questions. They ask questions only of someone they know and trust, after engaging in indirect conversation first.

The nurse can help Fiona by:

Going to hospital can be a worrying experience for Islanders, as is further illustrated in Overcoming apprehension.


Last Updated: 23 June 2003
Last Reviewed: 23 June 2003