Indigenous Health Curriculum and Health Professional Learners: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Globally, an estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples reside in more than 70 countries with these people commonly experiencing health care access inequity.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of Indigenous health care curriculum on entry-level health professional learners in preparation to deliver equitable health care.

Methods: Seventeen articles were identified and analyzed for: context; study design; study measures, teaching and learning delivery mode, content and duration; positive and negative learner reactions; learning gained and article quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument.

Results: Most included studies described face-to-face delivery along with blended learning combining a placement in an Indigenous setting, stand-alone placements and digital learning. Descriptions of learning gained covered five domains: remembering, understanding, self-knowledge, perspective and application relating mostly to cultural awareness. Factors contributing to positive learner reactions included attitude, environment, educator skill, pedagogy and opportunities. Factors contributing to negative learner reactions included attitude and environment.

Conclusions: There is a need to further explore how health professional graduates are prepared to work in Indigenous health and the appropriate measures to do this. There is opportunity to learn more about Indigenous health teaching and learning across learning domains, in mainstream clinical placements and in digital learning.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Glossary

Cultural Security Model of Aboriginal health: The meeting of two different approaches in health, the Western definition and the Aboriginal definition, to achieve the desired outcome of improved health status. Cultural awareness followed by cultural safety are important foundations for the attainment of cultural security.

Coffin J. 2007. Rising to the challenge in Aboriginal health by creating cultural security. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal. 31:22–24.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alison Francis-Cracknell

Alison Francis-Cracknell, B.App.Sci. (Physiotherapy), Grad. Cert. Health Professional Ed. Senior Lecturer, PhD candidate, Director of Clinical Education (Physiotherapy), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University.

Margaret Murray

Margaret Murray, Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics, PhD Candidate, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Be Active Sleep Eat (BASE) Facility, Monash University.

Claire Palermo

Claire Palermo, BSc. MNutDiet. MPH. Grad Cert Hlth Prof Ed. PhD, APD. Associate Professor, Deputy Director Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University.

Petah Atkinson

Petah Atkinson, MPH, Lecturer – PhD candidate, Gukwonderuk Indigenous Engagement Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University.

Rose Gilby

Rose Gilby, Bachelor of Nursing, Grad Cert in Clinical Simulation, Lecturer, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Gukwonderuk Indigenous Engagement Unit, Monash University.

Karen Adams

Karen Adams, PhD, Professor, Director Gukwonderuk Indigenous Engagement Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University.