Doctors will receive training embedding First Nations knowledge and values for culturally-safe care under framework introduced by the peak body who train the majority of Australian general practitioners.
The Royal Australian College of GPs launched the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Health Training Framework last week.
"It's essential that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and GPs' clinical education is framed by the needs and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities," RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health chair Dr Karen Nicholls said.
Dr Nicholls is also Medico-Cultural Lead at the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association.
"This framework embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and knowledge across the College and our GP training program," she said.
"As part of the plan, we're aiming for 100% participation in cultural and health education among GPs in training and higher numbers of practising GPs undertaking training, as well as progress to grow Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP workforce."
Development was led by Indigenous medical education experts, after the requirement for national, 'comprehensive' framework was identified in the development of RACGP's broader training program.
It highlights 12 guiding principles: Self-determination; Sovereignty; Decolonisation; Indigenous Data Sovereignty; Value and Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing; Trauma Informed; Racism, Discrimination and Privilege, Strength-based; Equity; Leadership; Cultural Safety; Indigenisation (institutional change for Indigenous inclusion, underpinned by the principles of recognising rights and respecting Indigenous Peoples' knowledge and cultures, while privileging Indigenous values, interests, aspirations, and epistemologies).
In a statement of commitment, signed by outgoing RAGCP president Dr Nicole Higgins, board chair Dr Lara Roeske and chief executive Ms Georgina van de Water, the body said it recognises "it has a role to play in truth telling, about how the medical profession has been part of the colonising structures that have depicted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as responsible for health disparities, without taking into account the structural barriers and unequal access to power and resources that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have faced".
"This Framework is part of the process to change these narratives that continue to impact not only the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but the people who work within the RACGP and their families. The Framework is as much about change within our organisation and contributing to the individual journey towards healing as it is about the broader health system level outcomes," the statement reads.
Dr Higgins also added "recognising rights and sovereignty is essential to close the gap in health inequities" and "will enhance our GP training program, ultimately helping to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," with inclusion in the training provided to 90 per cent of Australia GPs.
AIDA president-elect Dr Olivia O'Donoghue is RACGP's National Clinical Head of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Training.
"Holding space for and prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and wisdom is essential for the transformative change needed to enhance training and health outcomes for Our Peoples," she said.
The framework announcement came at Australia's leading GP annual conference in Boorloo last week.
It also saw the launch of the RACGP-National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) collaborative National guide to preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fourth edition.
Growing to 21 chapters, the latest edition came with six new topics included.
These included the health impacts of racism, healthy eating, sleep, preconception care, health impacts of climate change and vaping.
"Importantly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people led development of the guide, and it positively states what promotes, supports, and strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing," Dr Nicholls said.
"We know that high-quality culturally and clinically safe preventive care improves health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Government data shows almost two-thirds (64%) of the fatal burden of disease for those aged under 75 are deaths that could potentially have been avoided with high-quality culturally and clinically safe preventive healthcare."
VACCHO chief executive Pat Turner said the guide harnesses "collective wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices" and lays foundations "for a healthier future" addressing emerging challenges.
Dr Odette Phillips (The Aunty Val Dahlstrom Award for Aboriginal Health Excellence), Dr Valerie Quah (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health, Standing Strong Award), Dr Rebecca Alvarez (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health, Growing Strong Award), Ms Talisha Mason (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health, Medical Student Bursary) were received their RACGP's national awards wins.
