AIDA’s CULTURAL SAFETY PROGRAM
Developed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors.
Promoting Cultural Safety* in all parts of the healthcare system is important to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Cultural Safety also supports, and is supported by, the growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce.
“The medical profession has woken to its need to end institutional racism in health care as a key determinant of better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Some clinicians have led the battle against racism for years, others struggle to know where to start. The AMA asked AIDA for help, with AIDA leading AMA’s Federal Council through a Cultural Safety workshop on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in Clinical Practice. The learning, engagement and practical guidance of AIDA on how to change clinical practice to achieve better health outcomes was simply excellent. Every doctor in Australia should grab the opportunity to complete the AIDA program.”
– Australian Medical Association Secretary General Dr Martin Laverty.
Cultural Safety in the health system is a key goal of AIDA. Two courses are available:
Cultural Awareness – An Introduction to Cultural Safety
AIDA’s Cultural Safety Training – CPD Points apply
Our workshops are sold out for 2023. If you are interested in attending one of our Cultural Safety workshops in 2024, please fill out this expression of interest form. We are currently finalising dates and locations for next year and will be in touch shortly.
What is cultural safety?
A culturally safe health system deliver[s] safe, accessible and responsive healthcare free of racism.
A culturally safe health practice requires the ongoing critical reflection of health practitioners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, practising behaviours and an awareness of existing power differentials.
The existence of cultural safety is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities.
Cultural safety is defined here as the individual and institutional knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies needed to deliver optimal health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
AHPRA.
AIDA supports the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) National Scheme 2020-2025 definition of cultural safety
Cultural safety is an overarching theme of AIDA’s Values and Code of Conduct and is a key principle in all of AIDA’s Collaboration Agreements. Much of our work is aimed at promoting culturally safe learning environments for Indigenous students, doctors and service delivery to patients. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak health organisation, AIDA is strongly positioned to report on areas lacking culturally safety, as well as leading effective strategies to enhance spaces where cultural differences are respected.