Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T14:53:51.440Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Review of Indigenous Health Curriculum in Nutrition and Dietetics at One Australian University: An Action Research Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2015

Annabelle M. Wilson ,
Kaye Mehta ,
Jacqueline Miller ,
Alison Yaxley ,
Jolene Thomas ,
Kathryn Jackson ,
Amanda Wray  and
Michelle D. Miller
Annabelle M. Wilson
Affiliation:
Discipline of Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Well-Being, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Kaye Mehta
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Jacqueline Miller
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Alison Yaxley
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Jolene Thomas
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Kathryn Jackson
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Amanda Wray
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Michelle D. Miller*
Affiliation:
Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Michelle Miller, Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Bedford Park SA 5042, Australia. Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

This article describes a review undertaken in 2012–2013 by Nutrition and Dietetics, Flinders University, to assess the Indigenous health curriculum of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (BND) and Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics (MND). An action research framework was used to guide and inform inquiry. This involved four stages, each of which provided information to reach a final decision about how to progress forward. First, relevant information was collected to present to stakeholders. This included identification of acknowledged curriculum frameworks, a review of other accredited nutrition and dietetics courses in Australia, a review of Indigenous health topics at Flinders University, including liaison with the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Well-Being (Indigenous health teaching and research unit), and a review of BND and MND current curriculum related to Indigenous health. Second, input was sought from stakeholders. This involved a workshop with practising dietitians and nutritionists from South Australia and the Northern Territory and discussions with Flinders University Nutrition and Dietetics academic staff. Third, a new curriculum was developed. Nine areas were identified for this curriculum, including reflexivity, approach and role, history and health status, worldview, beliefs and values, systems and structures, relationship building and communication, food and food choice, appreciating and understanding diversity, and nutrition issues and health status. Fourth, a final outcome was achieved, which was the decision to introduce a core, semester-long Indigenous health topic for BND students. A secondary outcome was strengthening of Indigenous health teaching across the BND and MND. The process and findings will be useful to other university courses looking to assess and expand their Indigenous health curriculum.

Keywords

Indigenous healthAboriginal peopleuniversitycurriculumnutrition and dietetics
Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 44 , Issue 1 , August 2015 , pp. 106 - 120
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akena, F. (2012). Critical analysis of the production of western knowledge and its implications for Indigenous knowledge and decolonization. Journal of Black Studies, 43, 599–619.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Allan, J., Stanley, J., Crabtree, M., Werner, K., & Swenson, M. (2005). Clinical prevention and population health curriculum framework: The nursing perspective. Journal of Professional Nursing, 21, 259–267.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Andersen, C. (2009). Indigenous footprints on health curriculum. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 38 (Suppl.), 40–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asmar, C. (2011). Indigenous teaching at Australian Universities: Developing research-based exemplars for good practice. Melbourne, Australia: The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Australian Government Department of Social Services. (2013). Closing the Gap: The Indigenous reform agenda. Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/indigenous-australians/programs-services/closing-the-gapGoogle Scholar
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Life expectancy and mortality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Canberra, Australia: Author.Google Scholar
Behrendt, L. (2012). Review of higher education access and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People final report. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government.Google Scholar
Bennett, B., Zubrzycki, J., & Bacon, V. (2011). What do we know? The experiences of social workers working alongside Aboriginal people. Australian Social Work, 64, 20–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Biermann, S., & Townsend-Cross, M. (2008). Indigenous pedagogy as a force for change. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37 (Suppl.), 146–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bradley, D., Noonan, P., Hubert, H., & Scales, B. (2008). Review of Australian Higher Education Final Report. Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.Google Scholar
Calhoun, J., Ramiah, K., Weist, E., & Shortell, S. (2008). Development of a core competency model for the master of public health degree. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1598–1607.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools (CDAMS). (2004). CDAMS Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework. Melbourne, Australia: VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit.Google Scholar
Commonwealth of Australia. (2000). Health is life: Report on the Inquiry into Indigenous Health. Canberra, Australia: Author.Google Scholar
Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2011). Part 1: Locating the field. In Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.), SAGE handbook of qualitative research (pp. 21–25). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Dietitians Association of Australia (1994). Education and accreditation manual. Canberra, Australia: Author.Google Scholar
Dietitians Association of Australia. (2009). National Competency Standards for Entry Level Dietitians in Australia. Canberra, Australia: Author.Google Scholar
Durey, A., Wynaden, D., Thompson, S., Davidson, P., Bessarab, D., & Katzenellenbogen, J. (2012). Owning solutions: A collaborative model to improve quality in hospital care for Aboriginal Australians. Nursing Inquiry, 19, 144–152.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eckermann, A., Dowd, T., Chong, E., Nixon, L., Gray, R., & Johnson, S. (2006). Binan Goonj: Bridging cultures in Aboriginal health. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone.Google Scholar
Edwards, C. (2005). The Indigenous content of Australian Nutrition and Dietetics degrees. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 29, 11–14.Google Scholar
Ewen, S., Paul, D., & Bloom, G.L. (2012). Do Indigenous health curricula in health science education reduce disparities in health care outcomes? Medical Journal of Australia, 197, 50–53. Retrieved from https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2012/197/1/do-indigenous-health-curricula-health-science-education-reduce-disparities-healthCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Herbert, J. (2010). Indigenous studies: Tool of empowerment within the academe. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 39 (Suppl.), 23–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McDermott, D. (2012). Can we educate out of racism? Medical Journal of Australia, 197, 15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nash, R., Meiklejohn, B., & Sacre, S. (2006). The Yapunyah project: Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the nursing curriculum. Contemporary Nurse, 22, 296–316.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phillips, S., Ash, S., & Tapsell, L. (2000). Relevance of the competency standards to entry level dietetic practice. Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, 57, 198–207.Google Scholar
Ryder, C., Yarnold, D., & Prideaux, D. (2011). Learning and unlearning: Is communication with minority patients about self or others. Medical Teacher, 33, 781–782.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stedman, A., & Thomas, Y. (2011). Reflecting on our effectiveness: Occupational therapy interventions with Indigenous clients. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58, 43–49. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00916.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thomas, Y., Gray, M., & McGinty, S. (2011). Occupational therapy at the ‘cultural interface’: Lessons from research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58, 11–16. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00917.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vos, T., Barker, B., Stanley, L., & Lopez, A. (2007a). The burden of disease and injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Brisbane, Australia: School of Population Health, The University of Queensland.Google Scholar
Vos, T., Barker, B., Stanley, L., & Lopez, A. (2007b). The burden of disease and injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Summary report. Brisbane, Australia: School of Population Health, The University of Queensland.Google Scholar
Wilson, A. (2011). Addressing uncomfortable issues: The role of White health professionals in Aboriginal health (Unpublished doctoral thesis). Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Retrieved from http://theses.flinders.edu.au/uploads/approved/adt-SFU20120605.113918/public/02whole.pdfGoogle Scholar