The state of Queensland has a diverse population with a range of needs.
Did you know? In Queensland in 2006 the population was made up of ....
Awareness of cultural diversity issues is important when working in a health care setting. All clients deserve the right to receive fair and equitable services that are of a high quality.
It is important to keep in mind that we may be providing care to peoples from cultures that may differ from our own. Aspects of this care that may have relevance can include the way we address clients, situations of special significance and who is present during this care.
In an increasingly multicultural society, it is likely that you will meet people from a range of cultural backgrounds while on placement in Queensland Health. However, some districts may have a large number of people from a particular cultural group and it may be useful to become aware of the needs and preferences of that group prior to starting your placement.
The Multicultural Health website contains specific links to a range of cultural group information sites, including those for Australian South Sea Islanders, Italians, Samoan and Tongans, and Vietnamese.
Awareness of multicultural issues and language services is important when working in a health care setting. Below are some situations that may have significance and differ for clients from different cultures.
Also be aware that your client may not speak English well enough to communicate with you or understand information that is provided. This can include peoples from Non English Speaking Backgrounds and also those who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Please review these important tips on cross-cultural communication, and communication with those who have avision or hearing impairment, or who are deaf.
One of Queensland Health’s key priorities is to address the poor health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a poorer health profile than other Australians and lower life expectancy. The health status is due to:
Chronic disease is a major contributor of the current health problems.
To provide good health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, health professionals need to:
To maintain cross cultural effectiveness:
Two important programs to enable health professionals to better understand the historical, cultural, structural factors that impact on the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their access to services are the Queensland Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cultural Awareness Programs and the Reconciliation Learning Circle Programs.
Queensland Health is currently developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Respect Implementation Plan. This direction has come out of the National Strategic Cultural Respect Framework that involved representatives from Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Departments and from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and its affiliated bodies.
The following links to websites provide more information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health data, services, cultural diversity and cross cultural communication:
Queensland Health's website section for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy website contains the publications:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet provides a comprehensive website on Indigenous health: Indigenous Health Infonet
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Queensland
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing- Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Disclaimer
Queensland Health does not guarantee the authority or accuracy of any information on sites linked to the Queensland Health Website. Queensland Health does not accept responsibility for:
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