Cultural and language issues
Cultural norms and expectations about communication vary between Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous Australians, between groups from different cultural backgrounds, and between different generations. While a person’s cultural background is significant, it is important not to assume that an individual will share all of the beliefs and values of their community of origin.
The following resource will help GPs offer culturally appropriate care to patients of different ethnic backgrounds, and has information about religious and spiritual practices of many community groups:
Attitudes to pain and pain management may differ across cultures. For more information see the EPERC fast fact on Cultural aspects of pain management.
For access to interpreters:
Palliative care for Indigenous patients
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, because of the health difficulties they face, have complex needs in regard to palliative care. GPs caring for Indigenous Australians should be aware of the cultural attitudes to death in different communities, and also the implications for families and communities of the excess mortality from chronic health and social problems, and the many bereavements that occur as a result.
The following articles from the Medical Journal of Australia give some context for these issues:
More useful resources can be found at:
For more specific local advice:
- The National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation website contains a list of links to Aboriginal health organisations and other resources
- For GPs who need local advice about providing palliative care for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patients, there are Aboriginal Liaison Officers (or equivalents) employed in most hospitals or large community health services.
This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009
Last updated 14 July 2008