The core competencies in this domain are:
- Uses a range of methods to facilitate culturally safe communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Integrates cultural perspectives on, and beliefs about, the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into holistic clinical practice.
- Appraises and addresses barriers to the development of effective therapeutic relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Identifies and addresses obstacles to optimizing the management of complex health presentations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Demonstrates effective diagnostic and management strategies that enhance health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
- Collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary teams to develop meaningful and holistic management plans.
- Identifies and uses professional resources to assist with delivery of best-practice care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
- Identifies and incorporates social and cultural determinants of health into management plans.
- Uses evidence-based preventive and population health approaches to reduce health inequalities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Identifies health-delivery strategies to reduce inequities and enhance self-determination.
- Uses specific Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme programs to improve health outcomes.
- Appraises the capacity of the primary healthcare model to comprehensively meet the needs of the community.
- Develops strategies to promote a culturally safe practice environment.
- Appropriately uses Medicare programs in the delivery of healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
- Integrates knowledge of history of government policies and consequent health impacts into delivery of care.
- Advocates for, and uses policies and initiatives that promote equity in healthcare.
Please see the ATSI section for some detailed discussion. However, for the exams, an essential part is how you introduce yourself and cover some key items.
- Introduce yourself
- Find out a little about the patient, including if they are from this place (ask about country)
- Tell the patient a little about you
- Offer Aboriginal Health Worker involvement
- Note the higher rates of chronic disease in ATSI people.
- Note the availability of 715 annual checkups.
- Note we can register for CTG to make medicines cheaper or even free
- If they have a concession card PBS medicines are free
- If they do not have a concession card, they pay the $6.80 concession price.
- Offer the extra ATSI vaccines (if appropriate)
- BCG @ birth
- Meningococcal B @ 2, 4, 12 months (+6 months for at-risk)
- Extra pneumococcal 13V @ 6/12 and 23V at 4 years and 9 years
- Influenza yearly indefinitely for > 6/12
- Hep A @ 18/12 and 4 years
- Pneumococcal @ 50 (13V), 51 (23V), 56 (23V)
- Shingrix early @ 50 (2 doses 2-6 months apart)
- Consider the common problems in ATSI Communities
A method of covering these key items is outlined on the page ATSI – CCE – Clinical Encounter Script