Unit 2 Health And Social Care Case Study

of the usage of radiation and effects it can cause an unborn foetus. A standard pregnancy check, if not worked right and asked correctly could imply stereotyping and thus cause great offence to the patient and/ or their family. Radiographers need to ensure that they justify to the patient (and in some cases family) why they are asking for the pregnancy check. For example instead of asking ‘are you pregnant?’ or ‘could you be pregnant?’ radiographers should instead ask ‘because this examination involves the usage of radiation, is there any chance that you could be pregnant?’

Offensive names and generalisations need to be avoided to ensure there is no offence to the patient and family. Using teams such as Aborigine(s), Aboriginals, Native, mixed blood, half/quarter–caste, Part-Aboriginal, blacks/coloured, primitive are all considered offensive. Instead using the term Indigenous Australians or Koori should be used. Common mistakes like this may occur without the technologist even realising and could cause a large amount of unintended offence.

Talking about death or dying and the deceased is considered offensive to some Indigenous Australians. To some, simply using the terms death, dying or dead is considered highly

offensive. Some families wish to prevent the ill family from hearing the diagnosis/ prognosis if they are terminally ill to ensure that the patient doesn’t give up hope or loose the will to live. Indigenous Australians have specific communication patterns and expressions.
Silence is just as important as spoken communication for Indigenous Australians.

“the unspoken messages given and received in aboriginal cultures probably have the greatest impact on communication and hence a potential rapport between health care workers and clients” (Eckermann, et al 1992) silence can mean a number of things such as that one has listened intently and has understood what has been said, one would like to ask a question but doesn’t feel comfortably to or may not feel it is their place to ask questions, they may be offended if something culturally offensive has been said, or the individual is feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment and so the silence is used as a safeguard until they feel comfortable in their

surroundings.
It is considered impolite for some Indigenous Australians to answer a question strait away and so a short pause may precede the answer to some questions. Health care workers should refrain from repeating a question if the answer is not given strait away. If the answer to a question asked is considered obvious there is no need for an answer; for example when asking a man with a broken arm ‘are you in pain?’ One would not receive an answer because it is obvious that he is in pain. Silence in communication between Indigenous Australians is common and can mean one of many things. Showing discomfort with silence can result in families not asking questions and seeking clarification. Eye contact is often seen as disrespecting ones identity and knowledge however this view is independent on each community and is considered quite appropriate in some communities (A, Smykowsky; A Williams, 2011).
Indigenous Australians express pain in different ways to European Australians. Non-verbal communication is important when looking for expressions of pain. Words become infrequent, the head turns away when questioned or may hide their head and body under a blanket, and the Indigenous Australian may be fegning sleep or ‘centering’.
Centering is a behavioural response to pain demonstrated by some Indigenous Australians.it has also been used for psychological symptoms such as fear and stress and can reduce the need for medication. When centering, a person withdraws into themselves to shut the pain out. (Department of health Vic, 2007).
Establishing an interpersonal relationship with an Indigenous Australian patient can create a much more pleasant and culturally sensitive experience for the patient. There are many different suggested strategies to establish a relationship such as asking the patient questions such as where are they from, questions about their friends and family, mentioning social relationships, friendships and ties with Indigenous Australian communities that one holds, and telling the patient about yourself, where you are from, family and work (how long you have worked at that site for, how long you have been practising for). Communication breakdowns occur when stereotypes and preconceptions are made, failure to explore full meaning of words and behaviours, failure to listen carefully to everything that the patient is saying, and failure to interrupt during a conversation to seek further clarification. (Department of health Vic, 2007).