Doctors Reform Society of Australia
			supporting health care reforms to ensure justice, equity and quality care for all
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by Gail Garvey and David Atkinson

Introduction

Medical schools, as important health training providers, have a significant contribution to make towards long term improvement in Aboriginal health, however the current contributions of Australia’s Medical Schools are less than optimal. The two main areas of concern are the limited teaching on Aboriginal health to all students and the severe under representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australia’s medical courses.

There have been many reports recommending curriculum reform for medical schools to accommodate Aboriginal Health. In particular, reports such as The National Aboriginal Health Strategy (National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party 1989) and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (Johnson 1991), made very clear recommendations regarding the inclusion of Aboriginal Health in medical and para-medical curricula. They recommended that: · compulsory study of Aboriginal culture, history and health issues be a part of the core curriculum; · Aboriginal people be involved both in the development and teaching of these units; and · culturally appropriate postgraduate and continuing education programs be developed in conjunction with professional organisations.

The full text of this article is not currently available online. Contact Carol at the DRS national office for more information.

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			This page was last updated on 10th February, 2003.
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