Learning Objectives

• Discuss social and cultural communication norms that may influence interactions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and with health staff
• Discuss communication challenges and strategies to engage in patient- centred care when working with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander patients
• Identify rapport building strategies that may support communication between health professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and communities
• Describe socio-cultural factors for health professionals to consider when working in discrete Indigenous communities, through the completion of the Health Professionals Orientation Package
• Reflect on your own communication style and how it relates to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Cross-Cultural Communication

• what are the consequences of miscommunication?
• what are the characteristics of a low vs high context culture?
• what are some things to keep in mind when communicating with ATSI people?
• what are all of the channels of NVC?
• how should you approach eye contact with ATSI people?

Cultural Nuances

• what is a skin group?
• what are avoidance relationships determined by in Torres Strait Islander culture?
• how do you find out if an avoidance arrangement is in place?
• should you use the the names of the deceased in ATSI culture?
• how is time seen differently by ATSI people?
• why should you be careful of a ‘yes’ answer from ATSI people?