Reflections on Equality in Healthcare: Lessons from Nitmiluk

As a non-Indigenous healthcare worker, I know I will never fully understand the experiences of First Nations peoples. However, with January 26th approaching, I feel it is important to reflect on the inequities in our healthcare system and my role within it. These reflections come from a 4-week locum in Katherine, NT, where I had the privilege of working with First Nations patients and witnessing the enduring patience and strength of their communities.

Here are some questions and challenges I’ve been grappling with:

🫁 I noticed that respiratory distress sometimes appeared more subtly in First Nations patients compared to what I had been trained to expect. Subtle skin pallor changes challenged my ability to detect early signs of decline. Could this delay, even if slight, impact trust in the healthcare system?

🫁 I often observed nasal breathing at baseline, even in some patients with severe wheeze and chronic respiratory conditions. How much of the ‘evidence-based’ education I’ve received considers First Nations populations?

🫁 Cultural dynamics, including shame, add a layer of complexity to healthcare delivery that I am still learning to navigate. How can we as practitioners bridge this gap to offer culturally safe and effective care?

🫁 The language barrier was significant—there are at least six different First Nations languages in the region I worked. With limited access to interpreters or language skills, how can we ensure patients feel truly heard and understood in their own country?

The system is broken, but I believe it is our responsibility to listen, learn, and advocate for change. Below are some resources and programs led by or supporting First Nations communities. Please take a moment to explore them and share any experiences or insights you feel comfortable contributing.

⚫ https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/about-miriam-rose-foundation/ 

🟡 https://lossandgrief.com.au/meet-rosemary/

🔴 https://www.arrcs.org.au/working-with-arrcs/donate 

🫁 Lung Yarning - Lung Foundation Australia https://lungfoundation.com.au/services/lung-yarning/