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McDonald H, Browne J, Perruzza J, Svarc R, Davis C, Adams K, Palermo C. Transformative effects of Aboriginal health placements for medical, nursing, and allied health students: A systematic review. Nurs Health Sci 2018; 20:154-164. [PMID: 29392872 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate whether placements in Aboriginal health affect the self-perceived skill in working in Aboriginal health settings and career aspirations of health students, and in particular, aspects of the placement that had the greatest impact. The Embase, Cinahl, ProQuest, Scopus, Informit, Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PubMed databases were searched in April/May 2016. Placements of at least 1 week duration in an Aboriginal health setting involving Australian students of medical, nursing, dentistry, or allied health disciplines, with outcomes relating to changes in students' knowledge, attitudes, and/or career aspirations, were included. The search retrieved 1351 papers. Fourteen studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Narrative synthesis found that work placements in Aboriginal health increased understanding and awareness of Aboriginal culture, promoted deeper understanding of Aboriginal health determinant complexity, increased awareness of everyday racism toward Aboriginal Australians, and enhanced desire to work in Aboriginal health. There is a need for improved teaching and learning scholarship to understand whether placements improve students' skill working with Aboriginal people in health care or increase the likelihood of future employment in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena McDonald
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Browne
- Nutrition and Physical Activity Team, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Perruzza
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ruby Svarc
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Corinne Davis
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Adams
- Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Gukwonderuk Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire Palermo
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Gukwonderuk Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Svarc R, Davis C, McDonald H, Perruzza J, Browne J, Delbridge R, Morgan K, O'Reilly S, Margerison C, Palermo C. Exploring the impact of Aboriginal health placement experiences on the preparation of dietetic graduates for practice with Aboriginal communities. Nutr Diet 2018; 75:448-456. [PMID: 29436176 DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM A health workforce with the ability to practice with Aboriginal communities is crucial to bridge the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. This study aimed to explore the impact of university Aboriginal health placements on preparing dietetic graduates for practice with Aboriginal communities. METHODS A mixed methods sequential explanatory design was used. A sample of 594 dietetic graduates was invited to complete a survey that identified Aboriginal health experiences and measured attitudes and self-confidence towards working in Aboriginal health using a five-point Likert scale. Participants were divided into placement versus no-placement groups and compared using chi-squared tests. Sixteen of 33 participants who had completed an Aboriginal health placement were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to explore how placement influenced practice with Aboriginal communities. Interviews were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS A final sample of 120 participants showed that placement participants reported significantly higher self-confidence towards working in Aboriginal health compared with no-placement participants (No-placement = 35% agree, 36% neutral, 29% disagree; Placement = 74% agree, 11% neutral, 16% disagree; χ2 (2, 88) = 9.4; P = 0.01). Fifteen participants were interviewed. Interview data indicated that situated learning experiences, breaking down stereotypes, empathy through learning from Aboriginal people, and Aboriginal health role-models were key components of Aboriginal health placements in preparing dietetic graduates for practice with Aboriginal communities. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that Aboriginal health placements may be an effective strategy for preparing dietetic graduates for practice with Aboriginal communities. The feasibility of placement or alternative curriculum content needs to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Svarc
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Corinne Davis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helena McDonald
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Perruzza
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Browne
- Public Health and Research Unit, The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robyn Delbridge
- Public Health and Research Unit, The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Keith Morgan
- Public Health and Research Unit, The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sharleen O'Reilly
- UCD Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claire Margerison
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire Palermo
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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