Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education
Objectives: The emotional responses of students undertaking a new, compulsory unit on Indigenous cultures and health were investigated as part of a broader study looking at culturally secure practice in midwifery education and service provision for Aboriginal women. Methods: Classroom observations w...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
eContent Management
2013
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/29146 |
| _version_ | 1848752726111944704 |
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| author | Thackrah, Rosalie Thompson, Sandra |
| author_facet | Thackrah, Rosalie Thompson, Sandra |
| author_sort | Thackrah, Rosalie |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Objectives: The emotional responses of students undertaking a new, compulsory unit on Indigenous cultures and health were investigated as part of a broader study looking at culturally secure practice in midwifery education and service provision for Aboriginal women. Methods: Classroom observations were conducted on a first year midwifery cohort from July to October 2012 and students completed ‘before and after’ questionnaires. Results: A spectrum of emotional responses was identified and found to be consistent with studies of medical student exposure to Aboriginal content. While stereotypes were challenged and perceptions altered as a result of the content, issues surrounding racism remained unresolved, with some students expressing dismay at the attitudes of their peers. Conclusion: This study confirmed the need for content on Aboriginal health and cultures to extend beyond one unit in a course. Learning and knowledge must be carefully integrated and developed to maximise understanding and ensure that unresolved issues are addressed. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:13:12Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-29146 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:13:12Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | eContent Management |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-291462017-09-13T15:25:11Z Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education Thackrah, Rosalie Thompson, Sandra Objectives: The emotional responses of students undertaking a new, compulsory unit on Indigenous cultures and health were investigated as part of a broader study looking at culturally secure practice in midwifery education and service provision for Aboriginal women. Methods: Classroom observations were conducted on a first year midwifery cohort from July to October 2012 and students completed ‘before and after’ questionnaires. Results: A spectrum of emotional responses was identified and found to be consistent with studies of medical student exposure to Aboriginal content. While stereotypes were challenged and perceptions altered as a result of the content, issues surrounding racism remained unresolved, with some students expressing dismay at the attitudes of their peers. Conclusion: This study confirmed the need for content on Aboriginal health and cultures to extend beyond one unit in a course. Learning and knowledge must be carefully integrated and developed to maximise understanding and ensure that unresolved issues are addressed. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/29146 10.5172/conu.2013.46.1.113 eContent Management restricted |
| spellingShingle | Thackrah, Rosalie Thompson, Sandra Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title | Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title_full | Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title_fullStr | Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title_short | Confronting uncomfortable truths: Receptivity and resistance to Aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| title_sort | confronting uncomfortable truths: receptivity and resistance to aboriginal content in midwifery education |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/29146 |