Supporting pathways for First Nations health professionals and culturally appropriate care in Bendigo
Monash Rural Health is honouring its commitment to building pathways for First Nations health professionals, starting in kindergarten and supporting graduates through their career journey.
In order to develop future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, Monash Rural Health Bendigo has developed an innovative First Nations health program to inspire and support potential health professionals throughout their whole education journey.
Starting in kindergarten, and across primary school and high school, Monash Rural Health Bendigo supports programs such as the Teddy Bear Hospital, alleviating ‘white coat anxiety’ around going to the doctor or hospital that many young First Nations children may have, and inspiring them to pursue various careers in health care including work as an Aboriginal Health Worker. First Nations students also get the opportunity to undertake work experience to find out what it's like to be a medical student, participating in clinical simulations and getting to know local staff and clinicians. In 2024, Monash Rural Health Bendigo in partnership with Bendigo Health, provided access to over 150 hours of work experience opportunities to First Nations secondary students.
Lee Moss, the manager of the Bendigo Health Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) team, emphasises the importance of culturally safe work experience collaborations.
“These initiatives support and provide First Nations high school students with hands-on experience in various health fields, from Medicine to Allied Health streams, empowering them to make informed and deadly future education choices.”
Incorporated throughout the medical curriculum in Bendigo, medical students take part in a comprehensive program in First Nations health, to allow the future doctors to deliver culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes cultural induction with Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners, tours of local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health (ACCHO) organisations, as well as education sessions with Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers at Bendigo Health.
According to Community Engagement Officer, Kamil Chetty, who has been involved in implementing the First Nations health program in Bendigo, students have already benefited greatly from the program
“Consistently, students have told me that the First Nations program has given them understanding and skills they never could have learnt through online learning in this area, and that they feel more confident when working with First Nations people in their clinical placements.”
During their final year of studies, students can access further First Nations health training courses, and have the opportunity to complete research projects in First Nations health. Students also participate in truth-telling sessions and also engage with Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers and other First Nation health workers to improve their cross-cultural communication skills, supporting improved health outcomes for First Nations people.
Monash Rural Health Aboriginal Community Engagement Lead, David Byrnes, who is leading the implementation of School’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Framework 2021-2030, is excited by the work being done to develop the next generation of health professionals.
“We are making real inroads into inspiring the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, and making children and young people see the real possibilities there are to support their communities as a health professional. Supporting our medical students to deliver culturally appropriate care informed by in-depth understanding will also have a positive impact on First Nations health in the future.”