First Nations Telegraph

Image: Kirsty Van Grinsven, Linda Ball and Cate Melville. Image: supplied

Charles Sturt University has brought First Nations health and wellbeing to the forefront of learning through an award-winning place-based learning model for podiatry students.

The learning initiative was co-designed and co-facilitated between Charles Sturt University and the Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service (AWAHS). It allows two cohorts of students to complete their ‘Podiatry for Chronic Disease Management’ subject in a real clinical setting.

After being implemented as part of the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine in 2023 and 2024, the ongoing innovative teaching model earned two consecutive Charles Sturt Teaching Academy Change One Thing Awards.

Lecturer in Podiatric Medicine in the Charles Sturt School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences Ms Kirsty Van Grinsven said authentic place-based and reciprocal cultural learning experiences helped encourage systemic change within institutions and professions.

“Through promotion of inclusion and connectivity, this initiative values First Nations perspectives in learning and teaching by collaborating with community to co-design from the beginning,” Ms Van Grinsven said.

“Embedding more interactive and immersive cultural learning experiences challenges traditional Western teaching methods, such as lectures and prescribed readings, while fostering culturally safe spaces.”

These learning experiences saw students ground their studies through an initial face-to-face class at Charles Sturt in Albury-Wodonga. Students then attended an on-site visit to AWAHS, where they participated in a yarning circle with First Nations health practitioners and a tour of the Aboriginal Medical Service.

After the site visit, the students debrief and reflect through an online session forming part of their assessment and can return to AWAHS as guest speakers at a monthly clinical meeting.

Students can also use the knowledge and skills learnt from their experience at AWAHS to work alongside First Nations podiatry patients at the local Westside Community Centre under the supervision of AWAHS podiatrist and Charles Sturt Clinical Educator Ms Cate Melville.

“Our students have received excellent feedback from staff and patients alike regarding the way that they their clinical practice has evolved to be more culturally responsive in this environment,” Ms Van Grinsven said.

Proud Kamilaroi woman, midwife and family health nurse at AWAHS Ms Linda Ball said the impact of the collaboration was evident the moment the students left their first visit to the clinic.

“We now have a group of Podiatry students that know the health service, the people and understand our diverse cultures and backgrounds,” she said.

“Students are now aware of past events that can make it difficult for an Aboriginal client to enter and access a health service, which not only boosts their confidence, but also their understanding of how to work alongside First Nations clients in a way that is respectful.

“Developing this understanding of culturally safe practice is an amazing jump forward for students when they become practitioners, where they can feel they are justified in applying for positions working within Aboriginal Medical Services.”

In a post-subject student survey, one third-year student said, “the initiative helped deepen my understanding of holistic health care…we learned how as clinicians we can show respect, genuinely engage with patients, and honour each patient’s identity”.

Beyond the teaching itself, this intercultural team has successfully provided two presentations regarding the initiative at the CSEdX 2023 and 2024 conferences, further inspiring academic peers and empowering co-design processes working alongside First Nations communities.

The teaching initiative was contributed to by several Charles Sturt staff members, AWAHS staff members, and guided by the work of the Charles Sturt Gulaay team and Yindyamarra Winhanganha Community of Practice, the Indigenous Board of Studies and local First Nations Elders and community members.