92389 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Women and Babies
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject enhances students' understanding and awareness of the issues related to the health of Indigenous people, particularly Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students are given the opportunity to explore their own personal and professional beliefs and attitudes in relation to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies. Students examine the ways that colonialism has impacted, and continues to impact, on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through cultural, political and socio-economic circumstances. Primary health care initiatives and community development approaches that have been implemented to address the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies in Australia as well as Indigenous peoples in other countries are examined.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Explore the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to gain an understanding of colonisation and the impact on Indigenous maternal and infant health |
|---|---|
| B. | Recognise the specific needs of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their communities |
| C. | Explore personal and professional beliefs and attitudes in relation to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies |
| D. | Recognise the responsibilities of health professionals and primary health care initiatives in the implementation of culturally safe practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practice woman centred care (1.0)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Are socially responsible citizens who value the diversity of people (5.0)
- Demonstrate professional cultural competency which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellness (7.0)
- Demonstrate respect and value for world view differences and in particular Australian Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing (7.1)
- Critically reflect upon the impact of ongoing colonisation and its pervasive discourse on Indigenous Australians and their health and wellbeing (7.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will participate in a range of online teaching and learning strategies that are designed to assist in developing an understanding and awareness of the issues related to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous mothers, babies, and families. Exploration of personal and professional beliefs will assist you in developing cultural competency and respect.
Case studies and stories from practice
Case studies and stories from practice depict people and their families in clinical, community, and social situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information, and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of, and reflection on issues or situations.
Online learning activities
Students access online learning resources including podcasts, videos, professional and grey literature before and during the online class. Online resources enable students to clarify complex concepts and terminology and engage with sensitive or confronting topics at their own pace. These activities are then discussed in the online class to share learning, experiences, and reflections.
Sharing stories
Through the discussion board on Canvas, students will share their discovery of the Aboriginal history and heritage of the place they live or work.
Personal, Professional and Expert Narratives
Students will have the opportunity to listen to, meet and dialogue with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal guests who will discuss personal and/or professional stories about the subject content and objectives.
Content (topics)
Understanding and exploring Aboriginal identity and diversity
- Personal, professional and health system cultural competency
- Historical influences on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples
- Colonisation and racism as determinants of Indigenous health
- Understanding Aboriginal culture and Acknowledgement of Country in everyday life
- Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, traditions and the contribution of elders - past, present and future
Understanding the health outcome issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Health outcomes of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies
- High-prevalence chronic and pregnancy-related conditions that impact on Indigenous maternal and infant outcomes
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Strengths-based approaches to care provision and support for Indigenous women, babies, families and communities
- The importance of building effective relationships and providing midwifery continuity of care
- Exploration of specific and mainstream services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies
- Community-controlled health organisations and other agencies who provide services
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Reflection
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 5.0 and 7.0 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 500-800 words |
| Criteria: | Comprehensive marking criteria for this assessment is available under 'Assignments' in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: PowerPoint Presentation: Improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians
| Intent: | This assessment improves students' awareness of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and assists them to understand their unique role in the Australian health care system. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 5.0 and 7.0 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Maximum 10 slides |
Assessment task 3: Audit of a health service
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0, 7.0, 7.1 and 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | 1500 words excluding the table |
| Criteria: | Comprehensive marking criteria for this assessment is available under 'Assignments' in Canvas. |
References
Australian Government (2013), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023, Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra.
Australian Indigenous Health Infonet (2016, February 2020), What is the history of Closing the Gap?, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/closing-the-gap/key-facts/what-is-the-history-of-closing-the-gap.
Best, O. & Fredericks, B. (eds) (2018), Yatdjuligin: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing & midwifery care, 2nd Edn, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.
Dudgeon, P., Milroy, H. & Walker, R. (eds) (2014), Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice, 2nd edn, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
MacRae, A., Thomson, M., Anomie, Burns, J., Catto, M., Gray, C., Levitan, L., McLoughlin, N., Potter, C., Ride, K., Stumpers, S., Trzesinski, A. & Urquhart, B. (2013, February 2020), Overview of Australian Indigenous health status, Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet, Western Australia. http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/overviews.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Dahlen., HG. & Dixon, L. (eds) (2019), Midwifery: Preparation for practice, 4th edn, Elsevier, Sydney.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (2011), Growing up our way: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child rearing practices matrix, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, Melbourne.
Sherwood, J. (2013), 'Colonisation - It's bad for your health: The context of Aboriginal health', Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 46(1) 28-40.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
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Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
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Improve your academic and English language skills
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HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
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