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Addressing Uncomfortable Issues: Reflexivity as a Tool for Culturally Safe Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2014

Annabelle Wilson
Annabelle Wilson*
Affiliation:
Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Well-Being and Discipline of Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Annabelle Wilson, Discipline of Public Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001. Email: annabelle.wilson@flinders.edu.au
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Abstract

It is well recognised that research with Aboriginal communities needs to be ethical, meaningful and useful, in a way that is defined by communities themselves. This article provides an example of how reflexivity, from a number of positions and paradigms, can be used to undertake such research. I used a reflexive journal to document and critically assess the challenges and discomfort I experienced while undertaking research with Aboriginal communities, including uncertainty and feeling in the minority. Reflexivity allowed me to experience a number of key learnings, including: the importance of relationships; the importance of time, transparency and trust in relationships; reciprocity; the importance of listening; a partnership approach; and the impact of Aboriginal culture and past experience. The way in which I redefined my success as a researcher is also explored. In using reflexivity I reached new levels of understanding about myself, which enabled me to alter my practice and therefore change the experiences of those I was working with, ideally towards experiences that were perceived as culturally safe. Using reflexivity also enabled me to identify my position as a White researcher and centralise the needs and perspectives of Aboriginal people in my research. The purpose of this article is to present my own journey, as well as start a dialogue and provide a framework for how others might use reflexivity to become a culturally safe health professional or researcher and centralise the needs and perspectives of Aboriginal people in research and practice.

Keywords

reflexivitycultural safetyAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , December 2014 , pp. 218 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2014 

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