Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health — formative SAQs

SAQ 1 (10 marks)

An Aboriginal family attends with a 3-year-old who has recurrent ear infections. Teachers say the child “does not listen.” The family left a previous clinic after feeling judged. ^{[5] [9]}

1. Define cultural safety and state how you will ask and record identity. (2) ^[2]
2. Outline the ear-health and hearing assessment priorities for this age group. (3) ^{[8] [9]}
3. List structural determinants you will explore and why racism history is clinically relevant. (3) ^{[1] [5] [8]}
4. Describe how you will partner with community-controlled care in the plan. (2) ^[2]

Model answer — SAQ 1

1. Cultural safety is care free of racism and power misuse as experienced by the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Ask every child/family whether the child is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; record the answer; never assume from appearance. ^[2]

2. Examine ears; assess hearing behaviour/language; arrange audiology when indicated; treat active disease; plan school supports; apply under-6 primary-care ear/hearing check principles. Do not attribute school concerns to behaviour before hearing is assessed. ^{[8] [9]}

3. Housing/overcrowding, smoke exposure, transport, food security, continuity of primary care. Racism is linked to worse health and destroys trust; acknowledge prior harm and redesign engagement. ^{[1] [5] [8]}

4. With consent, share the plan with the family’s ACCHO; involve an Aboriginal Health Worker; provide a written plan families can use; keep hospital/primary responsibility while partnering. ^[2]