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Reflection 2

The document discusses the author's experience volunteering at a Homeless Connect initiative to provide soft tissue therapy to homeless individuals. The author felt anxious at first but was able to gain the trust of an Indigenous man who opened up about his personal struggles and the injustice faced by Indigenous communities. Through this experience and subsequent research, the author learned about the importance of cultural competence and understanding cultural contexts to improve interactions and meet patient needs, especially for Indigenous populations who have faced oppression and misunderstanding.

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239 views

Reflection 2

The document discusses the author's experience volunteering at a Homeless Connect initiative to provide soft tissue therapy to homeless individuals. The author felt anxious at first but was able to gain the trust of an Indigenous man who opened up about his personal struggles and the injustice faced by Indigenous communities. Through this experience and subsequent research, the author learned about the importance of cultural competence and understanding cultural contexts to improve interactions and meet patient needs, especially for Indigenous populations who have faced oppression and misunderstanding.

Uploaded by

api-469904011
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Reflection 2

Cultural Perspective and Awareness

The moment I heard about the opportunity to participate in the Homeless Connect
initiative, I jumped at the chance. I felt that it would be a wonderful opportunity to help
those less fortunate.

I felt slightly anxious as I did not know what to expect as it was my first time. The
consolation was that I would be part of a team, my CQU chiropractic peers and teachers.
Although it was common sense to wear comfortable clothing, I was conscious to wear attire
that would be subdued and humble. I did not want to offend anyone and appear insensitive.
It was important to accommodate and empathise with their situation.

As we made our way to the Sydney Town Hall with all our required equipment, I felt blessed
to be able to join a community that was giving and nurturing. A sense of contentment filled
my heart because I had the chance to offer a skill even as a student.

We organised our tables and paperwork and were advised by the organising committee
what to expect in terms of asking for consent and gathering personal details. This.is
important as some people may not want to disclose their personal information or have a
permanent address given their situation. It was important to be aware of this, as we tend to
assume that everyone has a home or stable lifestyle.

For many of us, it was fundamental not to stereotype or racially profile homeless people to
a certain ethnic group. It is interesting to learn that the homeless individuals came from
diverse cultures. However, there was a predominant presence of indigenous individuals.

As I offered soft tissue therapy to the homeless individuals, the majority of them
appreciated the service and really wanted to someone to talk to. It was sad to learn that a
middle aged indigenous male lived in a car, hence suffered from cervical and thoracic pain.
He seemed apprehensive initially, so to gain his trust, He opened up about his personal
battles and expressed his anger about the suffering the indigenous community endured. He
looked around at his fellow community members and shook his ahead with dismay and said
that injustice was the main reason they were here. It was crucial that my reaction was calm
and understanding. This was not a difficult task, as I genuinely empathised with them and
believed that each individual would have a unique story that led them to their current
situation.

I was in a position of gaining his trust and I sought to do that by tailoring my language and
communication to his understanding. I listened carefully and made eye contact at all times. I
felt his attitude ease and demeanour relax as I was accommodating his thoughts and
opinions. This session turned out to be not only hands on therapy but also mental and
emotional therapy. I applied soft tissue therapy and mobilisation to his thoracic and cervical
region. He was appreciative at the conclusion of our session.
On my way home, I pondered on the history of the indigenous people and researched some
articles in relation to cultural factors and lack of communication in the Aboriginal health
sector. An article by Amery (2017) expressed the communication gap in indigenous health
care. He mentioned the difference in culture makes it difficult for the Aboriginal people to
assimilate to the current health services as their needs are not met. Cultural competence
can improve and rise over time. This can be achieved when the attitudes of health
professionals are respectful and they convey interest in the patient’s needs and cultural
norms (Amery, 2017).

The issues faced by Aboriginal communities due to their history of oppression can be
misunderstood by society and misinterpreted as rejection (Downing, 2011). Hence, the need
for tolerance and patience combined with knowledge of the patient’s cultural context can
prove to be successful in future interactions.

Although I offered soft tissue therapy all day and attended numerous individuals, I did not
feel tired because the rewarding satisfaction I experienced far outweighed my physical
endurance. In future, I intend to expand my knowledge on the different expectations of
cultures and endeavour to contribute my skills to those less privileged.

References

1. Downing, R., Kowal, E. (2011). A Postcolonial Analysis of Indigenous Cultural


Awareness Training for Health Workers. Health Sociol Rev. 20, 5-15.

2. Amery, R. (2017). Recognising the communication gap in Indigenous health care.


Med J Aust. 207, 13-15.

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