In 2018 the Council undertook research regarding Australian university physiotherapy courses’ integration of content related to Indigenous health and/or cultural safety in their curriculum. Five years on, we conducted another survey that enabled us to compare and analyse progress made by universities to strengthen cultural safety for First Nations students to participate and complete physiotherapy programs and increase the focus for all physiotherapy students to become culturally responsive to First Nations patients.
The intention was to also inform the current refresh of the Accreditation Standard.
Higher education providers (HEP) were asked to respond to an online survey using a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended responses. The survey built on the findings from the 2018 research and incorporated development and implementation of government, peak body and University Indigenous Health strategies and curriculum frameworks.
Responses were collected from 28 x HEPs across Australia delivering entry-level physiotherapy programs. Twenty HEPs delivered undergraduate programs, 11 x delivered graduate-entry master’s programs and six delivered an extended master’s program. Nine HEPs delivered more than one program type.
The analysis of survey responses identified current achievements and progress in the development and integration of cultural safety and related content in the Physiotherapy Curriculum.
86% had advisory structures in place and included representation of First Nations peoples in curriculum governance and/or decision-making (2018: 21%).
Most HEPs (81%) integrated content related to cultural safety and/or Indigenous Health longitudinally across the curriculum (2018: 54%)
The research showed considerable gains since the previous 2018 survey, while acknowledging further scope of curriculum improvements.
Cultural competency was introduced in the 2016 Accreditation Standard and our research demonstrated the influence of accreditation to shape university curriculum.
The Council is undertaking a review of the Accreditation Standard and anticipates greater weight will be given to Indigenous health and/or cultural safety in curriculum.
We will continue to strengthen voices of First Nations staff in accreditation to enhance our ability to assess and provide valuable feedback on the development of cultural safety within program curriculum.
The findings of our research will continue to inform Council’s accreditation of Australian university physiotherapy programs.
The recommendations and insights will also be considered as the Council and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia undertake a review of the Accreditation Standard, recognising the critical importance of educating the next generation of Australian physiotherapists to provide culturally appropriate healthcare to Australia’s First Nations peoples, as we seek to eliminate racism and improve health outcomes for all Australians.
First Nations health
Eliminate racism in healthcare
