GP registrars’ attitude to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
| Subtheme | Participant quotes |
| Non-judgemental, open-minded, kind and respectful | I don't think patients expect us to be culturally aware of everything and every possible culture. But I think as long as we're willing to learn, I think patients appreciate that. And I think if you're being honest with patients like ‘please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about your culture or if you feel like I'm saying anything offensive.’ I would be happy to correct my words, and I think people would appreciate that. If you're just being honest, if you don't know, then you don't know. (6278) I think the biggest tips and tricks I would say is I guess the simple golden rule is to treat everyone like you want to be treated. (2797) |
| Expressing their similarities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients | So that could be something culturally as well. When I have spoken to them, we also have a very strong cultural framework in which the families are very united. We also call our elders, uncle, and aunties, and they also call everyone uncle and aunties. So, when I have discussed, they have found that this is more closer to what their culture is. (1111) |
| ‘Like a human’ | I think, treating them like a human being. That’s a big thing. I think that no two patients will be the same regardless of their background. And only I guess, only if you absolutely have to ask, you know, about certain things in their history, then then you can bring up the subject. But the biggest thing is that they're not a number. They're a person just like every other person in the world. (3270) I mean, treating them as human. Yeah, I think it’s awareness of those communication issues or different communication norms, awareness of history and how that could impact and shape the consult. Letting them run it, making sure I try and avoid as much paternalism as possible. I try and do that for all my patients, not just Aboriginal Australian ones. (4091) I think just be respectful and treat them the same as you would when you're treating non-Aboriginals or family or family friends like you don't treat them any different really, because they're also humans. (6434) |
| Diversity | Aboriginal Australians come…They're not just one homogenous group, there are all kinds of different people with all kinds of different life experiences, family experiences and cultural norms, which makes it such a diverse group to work with, I find. (4091) |
GP, general practitioner.