What the Women Want Essay -- Health Policy, Aboriginal Women

What the women want Research done by Browne & Fiske (2001) describes aboriginal women’s’ positive experiences with the health care system and interactions. For example, one woman stated that being able to be involved in her care and sharing information and knowledge led her to develop a rapport with her physician. She was given the time to ask questions and felt welcome. Caring gestures towards the patients also made the women feel as though they were important. Presencing themselves after shifts were over were described as going above and beyond by the women and they were appreciative while going through something emotionally distressing. The women also felt validated when their cultural healing practices were welcomed and discussed in conjunction with western medicine. Forming long term positive relationships with health care providers enhanced the women’s well being and overall health care experience. All of these testimonies of experiences narrowed the social gap between health care provider and patient. This enabled a healthy relationship in which trust and respect were mutually exchanged. Native Liaison Workers In a report done by Browne and Fiske (2008) entitled Paradoxes and Contradictions in Health Policy reform, women who participated in a study expressed the desire to have access to Native Liaison workers. More hospitals would benefit from adopting professional roles such as the Native Liaison worker. Native Liaison workers work to interpret, advocate and bridge the gaps between health care professionals and aboriginal patients. This role has been quite significant in maintaining cultural sensitivity amongst the power imbalances that may take place within health care settings. The Native Liaison workers help both th... ...post colonial concerns into praxis, pushing beyond culturalist approaches to policy† (Browne & Smye, 2002). According to Richardson, Williams, Finlay & Farell (2009) there are three concepts that can be used to incorporate cultural safety into their practice and these are: self recognition, situational assessment, and a solution focus. Nurses need to self reflect and identify their own cultural position and identify biases that may affect their daily practice. By undergoing this process, nurses can then identify what constitutes cultural risk. Next, by assessing each situation, potential outcomes can be foreseen that may or may not be culturally safe practice. Nurses who are solution focused can serve as role models for patients, colleagues and the community at large. Communication, reflection and leadership skills are essentials of culturally safe practice.