Cultural Healing Models of Care
Project timeline
November 2022- February 2023
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM)
Who funded the project
This project is part of the larger Cultural Audit project Karabena is undertaking with SVHM to actively improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, patients and their families by improving the cultural safety of the hospital.
Developing and implementing cultural healing models of care is a key recommendation from a policy and procedural review we conducted in 2021.
To inform this work, Karabena:
Undertook a literature review on the cultural determinants of health and cultural healing models
Conducted interviews with individuals involved in establishing cultural healing programs at other health services in Victoria, and reviewed associated policies and procedures
Facilitated a workshop with SVHM’s Aboriginal Staff Network (ASN) to ascertain an understanding of the cultural healing needs of SVHM’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and workforce
Facilitated a workshop with key senior clinicians and leaders at SVHM to understand the opportunities and limitations to identified cultural models of care.
Karabena delivered a final report drawing on the above, providing key recommendations for the consideration of SVHM Executive.
Summary
The key aim of the project was to optimise health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families, carers and staff by investigating and making recommendations on the implementation of cultural healing programs at SVHM.
Project Aims
To complete this project, Karabena Consulting:
Undertook a literature review on the cultural determinants of health and cultural healing models.
Conducted interviews with individuals involved in the development and implementation of cultural healing programs at health services across Victoria
Facilitated a workshop with SVHM’s Aboriginal Staff Network
Facilitated a workshop with SVHM’s key senior clinicians and leaders
Delivered a final report of recommendations
Methodologies
Karabena’s engagement of the Aboriginal Staff Network allowed us the opportunity to uncover the cultural healing needs of SVHM’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and make recommendations on the provision of cultural healing and support mechanisms for staff experiencing burnout from additional cultural loads.
Methodological outcomes
The following outputs were produced:
Literature review
Discussion paper
Outputs
The findings and recommendations from the report will be used to improve the provision of culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, their families and kin and SVHM’s First Nations workforce.
Project Outcomes
Healing; Culture; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Social and Emotional Wellbeing; Indigenous health; St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne